IndiaPost_02-18-2011 by Ghanshyam Bisht

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Bay Area R-Day event celebrates democracy Details on page 15

Bernie Stone gets boost from community Details on page 11

Trans-Hudson tunnel to ease NY-NJ commute Details on page 8

One more Indian charged for insider trading Details on page 8

SUDDEN FLOOD OF ILLEGAL INDIANS

NEW YORK • WASHINGTON D.C. • CHICAGO • ATLANTA • CALIFORNIA

VOL 16, No. 858

February 18, 2011

50¢

Periodical Postage

Dr. Jayakrishna Ambati

Indian-led team develops cure for blindness Details on page 38

India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Thousands of immigrants from India have crossed into the United States illegally at the southern tip of Texas in the last year, part of a mysterious and rapidly growing human-smuggling pipeline that is backing up court dockets, filling detention centers and triggering investigations. These findings were citing in a report published in the Los Angeles Times by the Center for Investigative Reporters (CIR). The CIR report states that the immigrants, mostly young men from poor villages, say they are fleeing religious and political persecution. More than 1,600 Indians have been caught since the influx began in Harlingen, Texas early last year, while an undetermined number, perhaps thousands, are believed to have sneaked through undetected, according to US border authorities.

Anjan Dutta-Gupta

Indian American charged for $10m kickback Details on page 7

Facebook founder's stalker is an Indian Details on page 7

Details on page 34

O P Bhatia CEO, Corporate Games, Delhi

Delhi to host Corporate Games in Nov Details on page 42

Radio-tags removed for two students Details on page 6

INDIA POST SURVEY survey@indiapost.com This week’s question

Illiterate Indians are being duped to enter US? Last week’s result

Fault lies with US and its university? YES 83%

NO 17%

Talwar couple made accused in murder case

'ICE must accept responsibility for Tri-Valley scam'

Details on page 8

India Post News Service

US puts Pakistan based LeT under watch Details on page 10

CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 24-25 Classifieds ------------------------- 47 Community Post -------------- 11-20 Date Book -------------------------- 46 Edit Page --------------------------- 49 HealthScience Post --------- 38-41 Horoscope ------------------------- 21 Immigration Post ------------- 34-37 Life Style ----------------------- 26-28 Philosophy ------------------------- 48 Publisherís Diary ------------------ 4

SKY DIVERS: Suryakiran aerobatic team performs during the Aero India 2011, Indiaís biggest air show, at Yelahanka Air base in Bangalore on February 9. (Details on page 22)

Real Estate -------------------- 44-45 Sports Post -------------------- 42-43 TechBiz Post ------------------- 22-23 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 29-31

Certified by “CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL Readership 117,765”

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February 18, 2011

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Publisher’s Diary

evolutions against any given regime, whether democratic or autocratic, happen when people come out onto the streets - the key to their success being solidarity, sustenance and sheer numbers. The world has been watching precisely that over the past few weeks in Egypt - more than a million Egyptians coming out - with neither a leader nor an organizational backing - chanting in one voice that the 30-year long autocratic regime of Hosni Mubarak must end with immediate effect - no more, no less. And they have so far managed to keep up both their numbers in terms of protestors and singular demand of Mubarak's ouster, consistent and strong. And so I expected to see, if not at the end of Day 1 of the protest, at least by the end of the second week, Mubarak stepping down as President and forever fading into the horizon knowing how utterly unpopular he is among his own people. But surprise, surprise, he has not - instead, his government has since been clamping down on the media, human right activists, instigating violence through an anti-people mob of Mubarak supporters and offering lame sops. So what's still keeping him in power… of course it is the unstated backing of Western nations including the United States. The Egyptians don't really want US help. All they perhaps expect is for it to stay true to its stated business of 'exporting' democracy across the world. The US invaded Iraq to "free" its people from a dictator because he happened to be hostile to the US. That was a no-brainer. But Mubarak, a similar dictator, happens to toe the US line of appeasing Israel, so he can stay on, what if the people of that country have unequivocally stated their desire for democracy? Unlike many, I am not cynical of the possibility of a peoples' government in an Arabic nation - at least not since I've been watching history unfolding in Tahrir Square over the last two weeks. I fervently hope the Egyptian people win, and preferably this time, without American interference.

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Aamir the villain With Aamir Khan playing the villain in Dhoom 3 thriller, it has finally got the booster shot it needed.

Cover Story: Illegal Indians Thousands of immigrants from India have crossed into the US illegally at the southern tip of Texas, according to a CIR report.

Community: Support for Stone Indian and Pakistani community members gathered at a fundraiser to show solidarity with 50th ward Alderman Bernie Stone.

Health: Cure for blindness A team led by Indian ophthalmologist Dr. Jayakrishna Ambati, has developed a therapy to cure geographic atrophy.

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'ICE must accept responsibility for Tri-Valley scam' India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Murthy Law Firm, the California based law firm that specializes in immigration has stated that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) must accept responsibility for not adequately investigating the Tri-Valley University before enrolling the now shut down 'sham' university in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and granting it access to enroll international students. Flooded with more than 400 signed petitions from students affected by the University's shut down last month, Sheela Murthy, who heads the firm has sent an urgent request for relief to Secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano; Director of ICE John Morton; and CIS Ombudsman January Contreras in a letter dated Feb 3. Several hundred Indian students, almost all of them from Andhra Pradesh, who had enrolled in the TVU are undergoing a harrowing time following ICE raids against the University on Jan 20, and the subsequent interrogations, detentions and radio-tagging of some of the students in the last couple of weeks. Tri-Valley University is accused of running an immigration racket

by bringing in foreign students under student visas and enabling them to work illegally in the US. The five-page Murthy Letter categorically states that ICE has legal responsibility, as well as substantial financial resources and vast, ever-growing human resources, to research and investi-

states. Urging a grace period to enable the students to seek alternatives, Murthy said: While the particulars of each international student's case may vary, it is clear that a lack of standard procedures, and a failure to follow the procedures which are in place, is leading to

ICE's own guidance and regulations." The Murthy letter further says the US legal system and rule of law require ICE and the US government to be fair and consistent in the treatment of students who are in similar circumstances. Some of the students were informed that

disparate treatment of similarly situated individuals, tarnishing the fine name and reputation of our system of fairness and the rule of law that we uphold and value so dearly, and wasting valuable government resources. In this letter, we outline our concerns and respectfully urge consideration of a grace period consistent with

they could attempt to change to other colleges or universities within the United States. Others' passports were held and were informed that they must depart the United States at the earliest. Still others were issued Notices to Appear (NTAs) with the goal of removing (deporting) them from the United States. Many of those

Several hundred Indian students, almost all of them from Andhra Pradesh, who had enrolled in the TVU, are undergoing a harrowing time following ICE raids gate the legitimacy of US colleges and universities before authorizing them to enroll international students into the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). "ICE must accept responsibility for not adequately investigating TVU before enrolling TVU in SEVP and granting it access to enroll international students," the letter

OFBJP extends help to Tri-Valley students India Post News Service

members of India Caucus in US Senate; and India's Ambassador Meera Shankar. The OFBJP, as did other Indian American Associations, demanded that the students of Tri Valley be accommodated in the state universities of California because these students have paid their due fees and having valid visas as stamped by authorities from

NEW YORK: The Overseas Friends of BJP-USA (OFBJP - USA) has said that is was taking necessary steps in cooperation with other Indian American associations to help the students of Tri-Valley University in California, who are suffering in the wake of the university being shut down by immigration authorities for running an im- Dr. Prasad who is based in Washington migration racket. DC, has taken the initiative in cooperaResponding to a call tion with several Indian American given by G. Kishen Reddy, President of BJP, Andhra Associations to meet with Robert O. Blake, Pradesh State, India, Assistant Secretary, South and Central Dr. Adapa Prasad, Presi- Asian Affairs, Department of State; dent of OFBJP-USA has talked to some of the vic- Congressman and members of India tims, and an OFBJP delega- Caucus in US Senate; and India's tion is being sent to study Ambassador Meera Shankar the situation over there. Dr. Prasad who is based in Washington DC, has taken the initiative in designated US agencies. These students cooperation with several Indian American As- should not be penalized for the actions of the sociations to meet with Robert O. Blake, As- University officials, it said. A delegation of sistant Secretary, South and Central Asian OFBJP-USA is also approaching California Affairs, Department of State; Congressman Governor Jerry Brown to urge him to confrom California Edward Royce, who is also sider accommodating these students in variCo-Chair of India Caucus in US Congress; ous state universities in California.

students who were issued NTAs were subject to having to wear ankle bracelets to monitor their movements. ICE had issued a fact sheet back in 2007 on its policy and procedures when a school or university is de-certified from SEVP. According to this fact sheet, the F-1 student can transfer to another SEVP certified school. The fact sheet assures students that SEVP will exercise the full authority of the US government to protect the student and institute sanctions against the school that violates the laws. This protection and facilitation of school transfer has not occurred to date. The Murthy Letter urges DHS/ ICE and the Ombudsman to grant of a 60-day grace period for the TVU students. This grace period would allow those students who were innocent victims to obtain I20s to transfer to other schools or universities in F-1 status, or change to another valid nonimmigrant status (like F-2 or H-4 or L2) or to depart the United States while remaining eligible to reenter with proper approvals at a future time. This 60-day timeframe is similar to the time granted when a student completes his/her education and is given time to depart the United States or change to another status.

Radio-tags removed for two students India Post News Service

SAN FRANCISCO: The Consulate General of India, San Francisco, says in a press release that one of the lawyers, Kalpana Peddibhotla, who participated in the free legal aid camp on TVU matters organized by the Consulate in association with NASABA, has been able to obtain the removal of radio-tags from two students in San Francisco area. Eighteen students from TVU were originally radio-tagged. The Consulate has also forwarded an advisory for Tri-Valley University students issued by ICE. The advisory says, "If you were formerly enrolled as an F-1 student at TVU and have been terminated in SEVIS, please note the following: "SEVP terminated the records of all F-1 students enrolled at TVU as of January 18, 2011. You should call SEVP Response Center (SRC) at 703-603-3400. This number will be staffed from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (EST), seven days a week. At other times you may leave a telephone number at which SEVP will return your call the next day. Please be prepared to provide the fol-

low information to the SEVP staff when you call: *First and last name * SEVIS ID# * Address *Telephone number where you can be reached *E-mail address

*Dates of attendance at TVU *Level and Major of study at TVU The note continues, "When you call, SEVP will provide you with your options including the option to depart from the United States without an otherwise possibly applicable bar to re-admission in the future."

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Indian American charged in $10m kickback scheme India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Founder and president of a technology services company, Advanced Solutions for Tomorrow (ASFT), Anjan Dutta-Gupta, has been charged with bribing a US Navy official to the tune of $10 million as kickbacks for securing naval contracts, according to the FBI Boston Bureau. US Attorney Peter F. Neronha announced Feb 8 that Ralph Mariano, a civilian program manager and senior systems engineer with the United States Navy's Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) in Newport, Rhode Island and Washington, D.C., and Dutta-Gupta, who has offices in Rhode Island and Georgia, have been charged in US District Court in Providence with bribery of a public official in connection with an alleged ongoing kickback scheme involving approximately $10 million of naval funds. According to the criminal complaints Dutta-Gupta funneled approximately $10 million to Mariano, his relatives and associates in return for Mariano's role in the funding of Naval contracts to ASFT. According to the affidavit, ap-

proximately $13.5 million in funding from the Navy was sent by ASFT to a subcontractor, mostly for work that was not performed. The subcontractor, over a period of years, allegedly kicked back a total of approximately $10 million to Mariano, Mariano's relatives and associates, and back to entities controlled by Dutta-Gupta.

Dutta-Gupta was arrested on Feb 6 in Atlanta by US Customs agents and turned over to the FBI as he entered the country on a return trip from Chile Dutta-Gupta was arrested on Feb 6 in Atlanta by US Customs agents and turned over to the FBI as he entered the country on a return trip from Chile. He made an initial appearance in US District Court in Atlanta the following day and was released on $25,000 unsecured bond and he was ordered

to surrender his passport. He was further ordered to appear before a Magistrate Judge in US District in Providence on Feb 15. Mariano surrendered to the US Marshals Service in Rhode Island and was subsequently released by the District Court judge on $50,000 unsecured bond and he was ordered to surrender his passport. Announcing the case details, Neronha commented, "While there is no shortage of other crime to be mindful of, public corruption will always be a focus of this office. The public has the right to know that those who work for them are doing so honestly. Taxpayer money must never be wasted, let alone stolen. When we discover bribery schemes like the one alleged here, we will do everything in our power to hold both the bribe payer and the person accepting the bribe accountable." "The criminal complaint details troubling allegations of public corruption impacting the integrity of the US Department of Defense's contracting process," said Special Agent in Charge Ed Bradley, DCIS, Northeast Field Office. "Unfortunately, as the complaint alleges, a Navy employee and a DoD contractor con-

spired to corrupt the DoD's procurement system and personally profit from their scheme. Stopping public corruption is a top priority for the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and DCIS is committed to working with the US Attorney's Office and our law enforcement partners, to ensure that taxpayer's dollars are not misap-

Mariano surrendered to the US Marshals Service in Rhode Island and was subsequently released by the District Court judge on $50,000 unsecured bond propriated and therefore available to support the men and women who serve in the US military." Kirk Greffen, Acting Special Agent in Charge Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), Northeast Field Office, Newport, R.I., added, "A $10 million heist is a major crime, whether the money

is taken with a gun or with a keyboard. Fraud victimizes every taxpayer. It wastes billions of tax dollars and erodes public confidence. Citizens have the right to expect their public employees to be people of integrity-not self-serving criminals." NAVSEA is the largest of the Navy's five system commands and accounts for nearly one quarter of the Navy's entire budget. NAVSEA has responsibility for establishing and enforcing technical authority in combat system design and operation, and uses its technical expertise to ensure systems are engineered effectively, and that they operate safely and reliably. Mariano plays a role in funding for NAVSEA's technical program and directs contracting officers to issue task orders through modifications on existing contracts. ASFT is a technology services company that provides systems engineering, product assurance, program support, integrated logistics services and Autonomous Underwater Vehicle development to the Navy. The majority of ASFT's employees support NUWC contracts and are located at ASFT's Rhode Island office in Middletown, R.I.

Facebook founder's creepy stalker is an Indian India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The Indian American community, which has for long been considered a 'model' community, seems to be sprouting its own share of black sheep with several of them getting into the news for all the wrong reasons in recent months. In a case that can only be described as bizarre for the community, a 31-year old Indian techie in California has been issued a restraining order by a court to stay away from Facebook founder and billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, his girlfriend, and sister Randi. Zuckerberg obtained the restraining order against Pradeep Manukonda, who he says been stalking him, RadarOnline.com reported last week. The 26-year-old wizkid who revolutionized social networking online, filed legal papers claiming Pradeep Manukonda tried to "follow, surveil and contact Mr. Zuckerberg using language threatening his personal safety," so much so he fears for his safety and that of his girlfriend Priscilla along with his sister. Facebook security also "intercepted" Manukonda at

Zuckerberg's Palo Alto, California, home on January 24, "just as he (Mark) was about to walk up the front steps," the website said citing the court papers. While Zuckerberg is not listed

Celebrity gossip website TMZ said, citing law enforcement sources that Manukonda had gone to several Facebook offices in Palo Alto attempting to contact Zuckerberg to ask for money

Pradeep Manukonda

Mark Zuckerberg

as a friend of Manukonda on the social networking site he created, the former Harvard student's sister Randi still is. Randi works on marketing, politics, current events & nonprofits for Facebook.

me. I really need your help ... please respond in time... before it get too late for usâ&#x20AC;Ś I owe entire my life at your service... please help me, then i am ready to die for you." He continues,

for his financially-strapped family. According to TMZ, in a Dec 22, 2010 Facebook messages to Zuckerberg, Manukonda wrote: "Please Mark ... time is really running out for me ... please help

"Please understand my pain." TMZ reports that cops gave Manukonda a verbal warning but Zuckerberg claimed Manukonda has continued to try to contact him through the mail, even sending flowers to his home

with a handwritten letter on Jan 28. In the Jan 28 letter to Zuckerberg reproduced by TMZ, Manukonda claims his mother is suffering from a serious illness with little time to live - though he doesn't disclose the nature of her illness. He is also unclear about how much cash he wants from Zuckerberg - only that he promises to "repay the entire amount incurred for her treatment." Specifically, Manukonda wrote in the letter: "My name is Pradeep working as a software engineer for an organization, but today I am not talking as a Pradeep or an employee of that organization. Today I am talking as a son to my mother who has become helpless in supporting his kin. I am here to make a personal appeal." The judge, in his restraining order has ordered Manukonda to stay at least 300 yards away from Zuckerberg, his sister Randi and his girlfriend Priscilla Chan pending a hearing later this month. As for Manukonda, following the restraining orders, he told TMZ: "I am a peaceful guyâ&#x20AC;ŚI'm sorry he thought I was trying to harm him. I thought Mark would be able to give me advice."

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Trans-Hudson tunnel to ease NY-NJ commute India Post News Service

NEW JERSEY: A new $13.5 billion Trans-Hudson tunnel called the "Gateway Project" for which plans were revealed at a news conference Feb 7 by New Jersey Senators Frank R. Lautenberg and Robert Menendez, is expected to reopen a gateway to growth for New Jersey and puts job creation in construction and related industries back on track. The Amtrak project will include building two commuter rail tunnels from New Jersey to New York by 2020 that would follow approximately the nine-mile path from Secaucus to New York City that had been proposed for the $9.7 billion Access to the Region's Core (ARC) project that was derailed by Gov. Chris Christie last year. The new Trans-Hudson tunnel would allow NJ Transit and Amtrak to increase commuter rail capacity 65 percent during peak hours by adding 13 NJ Transit trains (increasing the number from 20 to 33,) and eight Amtrak trains per hour, respectively, into New York. The Gateway tunnels would connect to an expanded Penn Station in New York with seven additional tracks, increasing intercity

and high-speed rail access in the northeast corridor. "This project reopens a gateway to growth for our state which suffered a severe setback from the derailing of ARC," State Senator John McKeon said. "By significantly reducing congestion and commuting time and taking thou-

The new TransHudson tunnel would allow NJ Transit and Amtrak to increase commuter rail capacity 65 percent during peak hours by adding 13 NJ Transit trains sands of cars off the road, the proposed rail project would enhance New Jersey's regional competitiveness and attract more business to our state while reducing carbon emissions into the atmosphere" "I commend Senators Lautenberg and Menendez as well

as the leadership of Amtrak for moving forward to invest in New Jersey's long-term economic growth and sustainability with the planned expansion and technological improvement of our mass transportation system," McKeon added. The existing 100-year-old rail tunnels into midtown Manhattan are already operating at capacity during rush hour, and ridership is expected to double in the next two decades. Two out of every three travelers through the region passes through New York. Used by more than 550,000 people a day, Penn station is operating at capacity and demand is expected to double in the next 20 years. "By helping green light this alternative infrastructure project, Senators Lautenberg and Menendez are ensuring that we put New Jersey's economic development and job creation back on track," said Mila Jasey, another State lawmaker. "The involvement of Amtrak will bring 220 miles-perhour high-speed service to the northeast corridor, thus expanding intercity and high-speed rail in the region and substantially reducing commuting time on certain routes."

"This project will also increase property values and bring muchneeded federal dollars into our state. New Jersey receives one of the lowest returns of any state in the nation for every dollar we send to Washington. We took a major hit by losing the $3 billion in federal funding and matching funds

The cancellation of the ARC tunnel by Gov. Christie is estimated to have cost the state thousands of jobs, including more than 6,000 in the construction industry from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for the ARC project. The new tunnel project reopens a gateway for the investment of federal dollars in our state's infrastructure development," Jasey added. The cancellation of the ARC tunnel by Gov. Christie is esti-

mated to have cost the state thousands of jobs, including more than 6,000 in the construction industry. In 2007, construction spending accounted for $33 billion, that's 7 percent of the state's gross domestic product but that is estimated to drop by more than $5.5 billion in 2011. With the cancellation of ARC, that decline was projected to be even sharper. The new Trans-Hudson tunnel is expected to help stimulate New Jersey's construction and related industries. Amtrak's plan also calls for replacing a 100-year-old Portal bridge over the Hackensack River between Kearny and Secaucus. Amtrak board member Anthony Coscia said that the rail corporation proposes to spend $50 million to begin preliminary engineering and design on two new rail tunnels from New Jersey to New York City. Amtrak will also take the lead in finding other funding sources. Possible contributors include the states of New York and New Jersey, New York City, NJ Transit, New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, as well as private investors.

Talwar couple made accused in daughter's murder case GHAZIABAD: Rajesh and Nupur Talwar have been made accused in the murder of their teenage daughter Aarushi by a special CBI court which rejected the agency's closure report in the over two-year old double-murder case. Judge Preeti Singh took cognizance of CBI's closure report and issued summons to the parents to appear before her on February 28, making them accused on charges of murder, destruction of evidence, conspiracy and common intention to commit the crime. The court rejected Rajesh Talwar's petition against the CBI report and sought fresh investigations to nail the culprits pointing fingers at the servants. "The Court has taken cognizance of offences under Section 302, 201 read with 34 IPC and summoned Dr Rajesh Talwar and Nupur Talwar as accused in the case for February 28," CBI counsel R K Saini told reporters. The dentist couple have been made accused under sections 302 (murder), 201 (destruction of evidence) and section 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the IPC. The CBI had said that circumstantial evidence points to the involvement of the couple in the

death of their daughter and servant Hemraj. "Our stand was that the probe of the Investigating Officer proves that no outsider was involved in this (Aarushi-Hemraj deaths). Servants are not involved in this and circumstantial evi-

media) create an atmosphere and this is what will happen," she said in her reaction to the court order making the Talwar couple accused in the case. "There is rule of law in the country. We propose to challenge the order in a superior court. This

Talwar's counsel Satish Tamta had alleged that there were serious lapses in the probe conducted by the CBI. "In our argument we have tried to bring out there were certain infirmities in the investigation carried out which needed further

The dentist couple have been made accused under sections 302 (murder), 201 (destruction of evidence) and section 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the IPC dence is pointing out that whatever has been done, parents only have done it," Saini had said earlier. However, the lawyer for the Talwars, Rebecca John said they will approach a superior court for striking down this order. "You (an apparent reference to

Rajesh and Nupur Talwar

is not a final order. This is open to challenge. Our remedies are open," she said. 14-year-old Aarushi was found murdered at her residence in Noida in 2008. The body of the family's domestic help Hemraj was found on the terrace of the house a day later.

clarification. And that the investigation just cannot stop at this stage and further scientific investigation has to be carried out so that proper result can be brought out," he had said. Tamta also stressed on the need to conduct low count DNA procedure, which involves the

testing of genetic material. The parents of Aarushi in their petition to the court earlier had alleged that there were "deliberate lapses" in the investigation besides "noticeable non-mentioning of material pieces of evidence". They had also pleaded that further investigation should be ordered into the case "so that the culprits involved in this heinous crime are apprehended, and investigated against and brought to trial." In the petition, the Talwars had given the sequence of events on the night of May 15 when the teenager was murdered and during subsequent days as per their memory. "The petitioner submits that the conclusions arrived at by the Central Bureau of Investigation on several material facts, issues and circumstances are manifestly erroneous and are based on presumptions, conjectures and surmises, not substantiated or supported by true and actual facts. "There are deliberate lapses noticed by the petitioner, besides noticeable non-mentioning of material pieces of evidence collected during the investigation of the case, which had lead to the filing of this petition," the petition

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One more Indian charged in insider trading India Post News Service

et another Indian American has fallen into the dragnet spread out by Manhattan US Attorney Preet Bharara in his mission to clean out white collar Wall Street crime. In a case which Bharara and his investigating partners at the FBI seem to think of as a badly scripted mobster movie, Samir Barai, 39, a former portfolio manager at two hedge funds, along with Donald Longueuil, a research analyst at another hedge fund, were charged Feb 8 with conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud for their involvement in an elaborate insider trading scheme. Interestingly, announcing the arrests, while Bharara said, "â&#x20AC;Śthe lengths to which two of these defendants went to cover their tracks sounds like something out of a bad movie", an FBI investigator said, "â&#x20AC;Śfor all their presumed sophistication, the defendants lacked a mobster's instinct for conversational discretion." Barai, who self-surrendered to authorities Feb 8, has also been charged with securities fraud, and, along with Longueuil, with obstruction of justice for their efforts to destroy evidence. Representing six hedge funds, Barai, Longueuil and two others who have also been charged, allegedly obtained and shared ma-

terial, "Inside Information" about at least six publicly-traded companies for executing securities transactions that realized millions of dollars in illegal profits. US Attorney Bharara said: "The Complaint unsealed today is a sad chronicle not only of criminal conduct but also its brazen cover-up. It alleges hard core insider trading in stock after stock - people blatantly trafficking in material, non-

Barai, who self-surrendered to authorities Feb 8, has also been charged with securities fraud, and, along with Longueuil, with obstruction of justice public information. And the lengths to which two of these defendants went to cover their tracks sounds like something out of a bad movie." Bharara added that to date, twelve people have been charged by his office in connection with investigation of expert networking firms of which four have pled guilty. "But we are far from fin-

ished. Together with our law enforcement partners at the FBI, we intend to continue being as systematic and methodical in attacking insider trading as we allege today's defendants were in practicing it," he said. FBI Assistant Director-inCharge Janice K. Fedarcyk stated: "The Complaint gives a clear picture of the cynicism that underlies the so-called 'research' these defendants relied on. When you are paying insiders for earnings data before it's announced, that isn't 'research'. That's cheating. And the efforts to destroy evidence are laid out largely in the defendants' own words. For all their presumed sophistication, the defendants lacked a mobster's instinct for conversational discretion." Between 2006 and 2010, Barai and others conspired to obtain Inside Information, including detailed financial earnings, about numerous public companies, including Marvell Technology Group, Ltd., NVIDIA Corporation, Fairchild Semiconductor International, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., Actel Corporation, and Cypress Semiconductor Corporation. The defendants and their coconspirators used an "expert networking" firm to communicate with and pay their sources of Inside Information. In addition, although they worked at different hedge funds, they had regular

conference calls during which they shared Inside Information with each other. In addition, they went to great lengths to conceal the scheme from regulatory and law enforcement agencies, including by saving any electronic records evidencing their communications with company insiders on external flash drives or external hard drives, rather than on hedge fund

The defendants and their co-conspirators used an "expert networking" firm to communicate with and pay their sources of Inside Information servers. They also used personal e-mail accounts rather than the hedge fund e-mail accounts to communicate about Inside Information. Barai has been charged on a total of six counts, one of which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000; three of them carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in

prison and a maximum fine of $5 million; and two others carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Bharara on Obama's fraud taskforce This case was brought in coordination with President Barack Obama's Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force, on which Bharara serves as a Co-Chair of the Securities and Commodities Fraud Working Group. President Obama established the interagency Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force to wage an aggressive, coordinated, and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. The task force includes representatives from a broad range of federal agencies, regulatory authorities, inspectors general, and state and local law enforcement who, working together, bring to bear a powerful array of criminal and civil enforcement resources. The task force is working to improve efforts across the federal executive branch, and with state and local partners, to investigate and prosecute significant financial crimes, ensure just and effective punishment for those who perpetrate financial crimes, combat discrimination in the lending and financial markets, and recover proceeds for victims of financial crimes.

PM appoints probe into ISRO deal

WELCOME SPRING: Sikh devotees pay their respects at the Sikh Shrine Gurdwara Chheharta Sahib, some 7kms west of Amritsar, on February 8, on the occasion of Basant Panchami. Basant Panchami is celebrated at the end of winter to welcome spring

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has appointed a high power committee to review various aspects and fix responsibility for lapses in the controversial deal between Antrix Corporation, ISRO's commercial arm, and a private company for lease of scarce S-band spectrum. The two-member Committee, headed by former Cabinet Secretary and Member, Planning Commission B K Chaturvedi, has been asked to review the technical, commercial, procedural and financial aspects of the agreement between Antrix and Devas Multimedia Pvt. Ltd. It will also review the adequacy of procedures and approval processes followed by Antrix, ISRO and Department of Space, and suggest improvements and changes and submit a report within a month. Noted aerospace expert Roddam Narsimha, Member, Space Commission is the other member of the committee.

The Terms of Reference also tasks the committee to fix responsibility for lapses with regard to the agreement, which media reports claimed could have caused loss of Rs two lakh crore to the national exchequer. A number of Union Ministers sought to know details about the deal at the meeting of the Cabinet. The Prime Minister asked K Radhakrishnan, Secretary, Department of Space, to brief the ministers on the deal. After a brief discussion on the issue, the Prime Minister told the Cabinet that he has already set up a committee and sought a report on the matter within a month. At this stage, it was decided to wait till the committee submits its report. When pointed out that Chaturvedi was Cabinet Secretary when the deal was signed, I&B Minister Ambika Soni said she was not in a position to comment but added that "he would know how and why it happened".-PTI

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Swamy seeks sanction to prosecute Karunanidhi for land allotment CHENNAI: Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy has sought the Tamil Nadu Governor's sanction for prosecution of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi for allegedly allotting land to a "favored few" under discretionary quota in "violation" of rules. "He (Karunanidhi) has violated every rule and allotted to a

have won my cases," he said. He alleged that the Tamil Nadu Housing Board has earmarked 15 per cent of the land to the Chief Minister for discretionary allotment. The allotment by Karunanidhi was in violation of Section 11 and 13 of the Prevention and Corruption Act. "Hence Karunanidhi must resign and be

Subramanian Swamy

favored few", Swamy told reporters after submitting his petition to office of Governor Surjit Singh Barnala, a day after the DMK chief issued him a legal notice for linking his name to the 2G spectrum allocation scam. Swamy claimed he had enough evidence on the issue. "I will never say anything without proof. I have done it always and

prosecuted", Swamy said. Swamy said he has mentioned the names of those who benefited, but refused to disclose them. "I have given names of people who don't deserve to get it. It includes civil servants, judges, police officials and a variety of people", he said. Asked about Karunanidhi's le-

gal notice issued to him, he said he had not received it yet. "No, I have not received any legal notice. If it comes I will put it only in the wastepaper basket. What is there for notice. He has no guts. Let him go to court. He is only sending legal notices only to terrorize the media", he said. Karunanidhi had issued a legal notice to Swamy, demanding retraction of his 'statement' linking him to the 2G spectrum allocation scam within 24 hours. In his notice to Swamy, the DMK patriarch had dismissed the allegation as being "motivated by your personal malice, political rivalry and clamor for cheap publicity." The DMK chief's notice came two days after Swamy's plea in a Delhi Court for continuance of his private complaint in the 2G spectrum case, seeking to claim that it covered a wider canvas of "involvement" of Karunanidhi. Appreciating Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj for sanctioning prosecution of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, Swamy said, "He did not hesitate and did it overnight. I do not know whether Barnala will do it (like him). But the final matter is I expect him (Barnala) to give sanction..." Asked whether his party would form an alliance with AIADMK for the coming assembly polls, he said, "Why should I go for an alliance (with AIADMK). If they want let them come and talk".-PTI

Artworks from Jaipur to be shown in Chicago NEW DELHI: Artworks from Jaipur, the city which has played host to film stars, literary giants, other celebrities and backpackers from across the globe, will soon be shown in Chicago. The Art Institute of Chicago (ARTIC), one of the largest museums in America where Indian philosopher Swami Vivekananda had delivered his historic address in 1896, is developing a major exhibition on the royal arts of Jaipur, planned to open in 2013. "We are beginning a monumental exhibition on the royal art from Jaipur in Chicago in the year 2013. We will be collaborating with the National Museum in Delhi and Jaipur's royal family," President and Director, ARTIC, James Cuno told PTI during his recent visit here. In August 2010, Princess Diya Kumari and Maharani Padmini Devi of Jaipur visited ARTIC to see the site of the future exhibition and signed an official letter

of intent, informs Cuno. The exhibit comprising paintings, textiles, jewellery, sculpture, photographs, costumes and other relics of the Jaipur royalty sourced from various places will

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Indian art today is full of explosive energy... it is looking at issues grabbing on to the world as well as looking back at its predecessorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; be curated by Madhuvanti Ghose, who would also be planning selective events to introduce Jaipur to the public in the Western country.

One of the highlights of the upcoming exhibition would be presentation of all the 36 paintings of the Jaipur Rangmala. Presently ARTIC displays nine paintings at one time over four rotations in a year. "Beginning from 1960s and 1970s in the last 50 years we have dedicated a lot of energy to Indian art. Along with a long fascination with visual culture of India we also recognize the vitality of the present art and its contemporary artists. "Indian art today is full of explosive energy... it is looking at issues grabbing on to the world as well as looking back at its predecessors. It is also attracting wide global attention," says Cuno. The Art institute houses a large holding of Asian Art including a collection of Indian, Southeast Asian, Himalayan and Islamic art.-PTI

Pak Foreign Minister to visit India by July ISLAMABAD: India and Pakistan have agreed to resume dialogue on "all issues" and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi will visit New Delhi by July to review progress in the parleys, the Foreign Office here announced. The decision to resume the dialogue, suspended by India in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai attacks carried out by Pakistan-based Lashker-e-Taiba, was made during talks between the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries on the margins of a SAARC meet in Thimphu. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani expressed his "satisfaction on the important decision taken both by Pakistan and India to resume the full spectrum of dialogue," according to a statement issued by the Premier's office. He appreciated his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh's vision for "opening a new chapter in the relations between the two countries which Pakistan fully reciprocates." Before Foreign Minister Qureshi's visit to India, secretaries and officials of the two countries will hold a series of meet-

ings to discuss issues like counter-terrorism, peace and security, Kashmir, Siachen and economic matters, Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said in a statement. The two sides have agreed to "resume dialogue on all issues following the spirit of the Thimphu meeting between the two Prime Ministers" last year, he said. Pakistan's Foreign Minister will visit India by July to "review progress in the dialogue process with his counterpart" S M Krishna and this will be preceded by a meeting of the Foreign Secretaries, Basit said. The two sides also agreed that before Qureshi's visit, meetings at the level of secretaries and other officials will be convened on counter-terrorism, including progress on the trial of suspects charged with involvement in the Mumbai attacks, humanitarian issues, peace and security, including confidence-building measures, Jammu and Kashmir, promotion of friendly exchanges, Siachen, economic issues, Wullar Barrage-Tulbul Navigation Project and Sir Creek. -PTI

US puts Pak-based LeT under watch WASHINGTON: Pakistan- India have had a destabilizing efbased Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) is in- fect on the region, increasing tencreasing its operational role, a top sion and brinkmanship between US official has warned saying New Delhi and Islamabad. Washington is now "focused" on LeT, which has a well docuthe militant outfit behind the 2008 mented relationship with ISI, has Mumbai attacks. been involved in some of the maThe group, which has trained jor terrorist attacks in India, inindividuals involved in terror at- cluding the Mumbai terrorist attacks, could pose a threat to the tack, the attack on the Indian ParUS and Europe, Michael Leiter, Director of National Counter ter- Though LeT had so far not rorism Centre, told the Congress in a deposi- carried out attacks in the West, it could pose a tion. "In Pakistan, we re- threat to the US and main focused on Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Europe, in addition to group behind the 2008 destabilizing South Asia Mumbai attacks, which remains a threat to a variety of interests in South liament and Akshardham Temple. Asia," he said. "We are concerned that it is Though LeT had so far not car- increasing its operational role in ried out attacks in the West, it attacks against coalition forces in could pose a threat to the US and Afghanistan," he said. Europe, in addition to destabilizBesides LeT, the top US offiing South Asia more broadly, the cial said the US is also focused official told the Congress. on other groups like al-Qaeda, In his testimony, he said LeT's Taliban, Tehreek-e-Taliban and previous attacks in Kashmir and Haqqani network.-PTI

Desi News St. Louis celebrates R-Day with great enthusiasm ASHWIN PATEL

ST. LOUIS: India Association of St. Louis celebrated India's Republic Day event at the Mahatma Gandhi Center with great enthusiasm and participation by a number of Indian community organizations. The event started with a colorful parade of US and Indian national flags by children, followed by flag hoisting and singing of US and Indian national anthems by the participants. Dr Pradip Das, president of the association, welcomed members and guests and introduced the Chief Guest of the event. Details on page 12

Asian American community plans annual celebration SURENDRA ULLAL India Post News Service

State Bank of India notches handsome gains

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

Bay Area R-Day event - a celebration of democracy Details on page 15

11 India Post

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February 18, 2011

Alderman Bernie Stone gets boost from Indo Pak community AQ SIDDIQUI India Post News Service

CHICAGO: In a gesture to show solidarity with 50th ward Alderman Bernie Stone, prominent Indian and Pakistani community members of Chicago met together at a fundraiser event at Northshore Banquet on Devon Avenue in Chicago. The event hosted by Iftekhar Shareef and other trustees of Federation of Indian Associations(FIA) on Tuesday February 8, strongly sought to net support from members of Indian and Pakistani community for re-electing Ald. Stone who for years has been a source of help to the community with for all its needs on Devon Avenue. Other speakers shared similar views. Rajput Sher Mohammed recalled 30 years at Devon Avenue and remarked he had seen all those days when Indian and Pakistani businesses flourished in the area and Ald Stone stood by "our communities in times." Sohan Joshi remarked that had it not been for the strong leadership of Ald. Stone, the 50th Ward would have languished. "I

Iftekhar Shareef addressing the meet to support Ald Bernie Stone

would have contested as Alderman if Ald Bernie had not been

a record of service in the area for years, an accessible elected

Sohan Joshi remarked that had it not been for the strong leadership of Ald. Stone, the 50th Ward would have languished. "I would have contested as Alderman if Ald Bernie had not been in the race” in the race," he said. Anil Pillai hailed Ald Stone as a leader with

leader always ready to address the concerns of community.

Obviously overwhelmed by the joint support of Indian and Pakistani community, Ald. Stone thanked all and made a touching speech himself. He said at the age of 83 he carries the same working spirit. Experience matters most in life. He cited an example that if you need a life saving surgery you look out for an experienced surgeon and would not go to an intern. Cont’d on page 12

Sankranthi Sambaraalu & R-Day celebrated ASHWIN PATEL

RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

CHICAGO: An FDIC insured foreign bank - State Bank of India (SBI) Chicago - has leap-frogged to be a billion dollar asset bank besides notching a jump in its deposits. The performance of this Indian bank stands out in sharp contrast to many a bank in USA that has either been severely buffeted or has gone under in the light of lending crisis and mortgage finances. Satish Kumar, the SBI Chicago chief, said that SBI follows a cautious lending policy. Besides it is more into international trade financing which in the context of surging trade between India and USA has helped it to strike a handsome growth rate. Details on page 14

(L-R) Srinivas Rajnikanth Gangavarapu - President, Soujanya S-Cultural Committee, Sailaja Akula Cultural Committee, Jilakara Muni Prasad Cultural Committee, Rammohan Paduru Vice President, Ravi Pasupuleti, Secretary, Sumanth Vadderaju Cultural Secretary, Ravi Vemulapalli Treasurer, Rukmini Chilakamarri Director, Bhagya Kolli, Director, Kishore Janga Director

ST. LOUIS: Telugu Association of St. Louis (TAS), Missouri celebrated Sankranthi Sambaraalu 2011 in Mahatma Gandhi Center on January 29 in a spectacular way.

More than 500 people including 100 kids attended the celebrations. Dressed in attires reflecting Telugu culture and tradition, artists presented a variety of cultural pro-

grams which drew huge applauses from the audience. The Sankranthi and Republic Day theme shows were highlights of the day. The village atmosphere with

almost life-size bullock cart, hut, lantern, kites, etc. depicting Andhra village and Sankranthi atmosphere was spectacular. Cont’d on page 13

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St. Louis celebrates R-Day with great enthusiasm ASHWIN PATEL

Dr Pradip Das, IAS President, honoring Dr. Cowsik with a bouquet

Kids presenting program

Local artists presenting program

Alderman Bernie Stone gets boost from Indo Pak community Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 11

The same rules apply in other fields of life. An experienced and trusted leader for community is needed in these challenging times. A new Mayor will soon be taking over from Mayor Richard Daley and he would need guidance and expertise to exercise the new responsibility for the Chicago community. As a Vice Mayor since 1998, Ald Stone has an insight for finances and pulse of the City of Chicago. He will be there to guide the new Mayor. Later, Iftekhar Shareef requested Sohan Joshi, Babu Patel, Raja Razzaq and Abdul Wahed Butt to present Alderman the colors of India and Pakistan. Together, Ald. Stone was honored with colors representing the national flags of India and Pakistan.

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St. Louis celebrates R-Day with great enthusiasm

Asian American community plans annual celebration SURENDRA ULLAL India Post News Service

Children and young participants at Republic Day celebrations Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 12

Dr Cowsik emphasized the importance of dedicated public ser-

Dr. Cowsik, globally recognized front ranking astrophysicist, is renowned for path-breaking research bridging astrophysics and cosmology. In an inspirational speech, Dr. Cowsik, formerly Director of Indian Institute of Astrophysics, elucidated the importance of India's independence struggle and hailed its becoming a democratic republic sixty years ago as a beacon for freedom and democracy for India as well as the entire world. He paid homage to the sacrifices made by India's freedom fighters during its long struggle for independence following Mahatma Gandhi's teachings of non-violence (Ahimsa) and mass civil disobedience (Satyagraha).

Dr Das announced launching a youth group under the auspices of the association and urged the community to wholeheartedly participate in the community's efforts by donating to the Sunset Hills tornado disaster relief fund vice quoting excerpts from the Bhagvad Gita and Indian poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath

Tagore. Dr Das announced launching a youth group under the auspices of the association and urged the community to whole-heartedly participate in the community's efforts by donating to the Sunset Hills tornado disaster relief fund and the bone marrow match drive undertaken to help a young Indian girl. The event concluded with refreshments. The new Board of Directors for the India Association of St. Louis for 2011 took office with Pradip Das - president, Sundari Nori president-elect, Sundar Varanasi secretary, Vijay Kumar Buddhiraju - treasurer, Sanjiv Shekhar - editor/Pravasi, Girija Kasinadhuni cultural coordinator and Girdhar Sharma, Hema Patel and Paritosh Sheth as members-at-large.

CHICAGO: With the lead provided by Indian American community in Chicagoland, the Asian American Coalition of Chicago (AACCO) has scheduled a grand Annual Gala Lunar Year Celebration on Saturday, February 26 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare, Rosemont, a north side Chicago suburb. This year's theme, "One Vision, Many Voices" will span diverse genres of entertainment music, dance and awards from 6.30 pm until 10 pm. The gala event is usually a sold-out affair attracting over 1000 people. Tickets will be available on a first-funded, first-seated basis. Every year a different Asian community takes turn playing host of the Annual Gala. This year it is the Indian American Community, which has thrice before (1987, 1995 and 2003) held the gavel for the Asian American community's most important event of the year. "This is the 28th Annual Asian American Coalition of Chicago Lunar New Year Celebration and the Indian American Community will host this Gala once again," said Nadja P Lalvani, 2011 Chair of this event. "This is an opportunity for us to showcase the diversity and the unique characteristics of the Asian American community - in a big way, and to bring our community together. And as our theme says, it's "'one vision, with many voices," said Lalvani. This type of celebration is traditionally the single largest organized annual event in Chicago's Asian American community. Nu-

merous dignitaries traditionally attend the festivities, including the Asian consular corps, elected and appointed governmental officials, political candidates, top business and corporate leaders, decisionmakers at Chicago's major media

Every year a different Asian community takes turn playing host of the Annual Gala. This year it is the turn of the Indian American Community press outlets, and everyone who considers himself or herself a mover and shaker in and around, or for, the Asian Pacific American national movement. The Coalition will give a number of awards that evening, including the 2011 Community Service Awards, Youth Who Excels Awards, the prestigious Pan Asian American Ping Tom Memorial Award - its highest award, and it's Grand Asian American Sandra Otaka Memorial Award.

Sankranthi Sambaraalu & R-Day celebrated Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 11

More than three hours of cultural programs included songs, poem recitals, instrumental and vocals, classical dances of South India, movie songs dance sequences, etc. Many members took active part in Rangoli and Pongal competitions. The colorful events came to an end with kids singing national anthem "Jana Gana Mana" on the stage. President Rajnikanth Gangavarapu thanked all members for electing his Executive Committee with an overwhelming majority. He outlined various programs being organized to turn TAS into a vibrant organization. He said

Dance by young artists

the committee would be interested to launch social, youth, sports, souvenir, philanthropic and quarterly newsletter. Rammohan Paduru unveiled the redesigned logo and website.

Last but not the least, authentic Andhra dinner, completely sponsored by the local restaurants (Mayuri, Anees and Priya), left the taste buds of everyone totally satisfied.

Cultural program by young artists

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Plea to save Thai-Cambodia Shiva temple India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Indians have asked that landmark Preah Vihear Hindu temple complex, the cause of border dispute between Thailand and

Thailand, this remote temple at the border between Thailand and Cambodia, which has reportedly not been clearly demarcated, has been a source of tension for generations. Preah Vihear was said to

Shiva temple in Thailand

Cambodia, should be turned over to United Nations control. The eleventh century Preah Vihar, it is said, is a world heritage site and it was moral duty of the world to keep it preserved and in-

even predate Cambodia's Angkor Wat temple complex by about 100 years and its stunning setting made it finest of all the ruins left from the mighty Khmer civilization. The area surrounding the

Frequent clashes between Cambodia and Thailand because of long-running feud might further damage the already fragile temple and it is in this context that UN presence would help tact for the coming generations. Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, argued that this Lord Shiva temple is sacred to Hindus of the world and the reported damage caused by recent military crossfire could be hurtful to the devotees and the world cultural heritage. Frequent clashes between Cambodia and Thailand because of long-running feud might further damage the already fragile temple and it is in this context that UN presence would help in protecting the sacred site, development and upkeep of the area. This would also allow easy access to devotees and other visitors, bringing more economic development and investment in the region. Known as Preah Vihear in Cambodia and Khao Phra Viharn in

temple was already a UNESCO World Heritage site with its history traced to 9th century when the hermitage was founded. Moreover, Temple of Preah Vihear, an outstanding masterpiece of Khmer architecture mostly created by Suryavarman I and Suryavarman II, was a unique architectural complex of a series of sanctuaries and was said to be exceptional for the quality of its architecture and carved stone ornamentation. It was reportedly dedicated to Hindu god Shiva in his manifestations as Sikharesvara and Bhadresvara. It was also said to be marking representation of sacred Mount Meru, the abode of the gods and showing a depiction of Churning of the Ocean, a Hindu scriptural episode, Zed indicated.

State Bank of India notches handsome gains front of remitting money to India as it ensures a transfer in less than 24 hours to any of its branches in India. If the beneficiary's account CHICAGO: An FDIC insured is with other banks, the remittance foreign bank - State Bank of India could reach next day and not the (SBI) Chicago - has leap-frogged same day. This too has been a big to be a billion dollar asset bank help to small and big remitters. besides notching a jump in its deKumar said that the posits. The performance of Bank operations are all this Indian bank stands transparent and the perout in sharp contrast to son remitting the money many a bank in USA that knows the exchange rate has either been severely at which the money is buffeted or has gone untransferred on the day of der in the light of lending remittance itself. There is crisis and mortgage fino system of advising nances. indicative rates initially Satish Kumar, the SBI and remitting at a differChicago chief, said that ent rate on the day of reSBI follows a cautious mittance wit SBI Chilending policy. Besides it cago. Yet remittance is is more into international free for account holders. trade financing which in Thus, a person with an the context of surging SBI account will have his trade between India and remittance transactions USA has helped it to strike free of cost. Further, rea handsome growth rate. mittances are transmitted In a talk to this paper, with SBI's own secure Kumar said that the Bank network. assets have touched $1.3 Those sending large billion mark while its desums of money would posits too have looked up. feel quite secure dealing The total deposits grew with the Bank as they are from $465 milion in March assured of a speedier, se2009 to around $851 million cure and reliable transfer in March 2010. The figure SBI Chicago CEO Suresh Kumar of their hard earned touched around $851 milmoney. lion which touched $889 Kumar said that the mark by December 2010. The Bank is going more technoBank right now is not Kumar exuded confidence logical savvy and will be matchconsidering physical exthat the Bank performance ing strides with other local and pansion of its facilities as in coming months would international banks in providing increasing use of techbe well maintained for online services to its customers and nology makes physical more than one reason. presence at different loFirst, the Bank is going depositors. It plans to introduce cations redundant. This more technological savvy the online facility at an is despite the fact that and will be matching branch banking has its strides with other local appropriate time own advantages deand international banks in pending on the business providing online services to its customers and depositors. It the largest ATM network in the model. Besides, branching out is plans to introduce the online fa- country with more locations than not relatively easy for foreign banks, SBI included. cility at an appropriate time that any other bank. SBI Chicago is also in the forewould help the clients in this Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 16 RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

country a lot. It has recently introduced an international debit card facility and this has been a source of great help to people visiting India as they can have an instant access to their money in their accounts with SBI Chicago through the SBI ATM in India -

Akal Takhat call to plant a tree on March 14 India Post News Service

WASHINGTON: Dr. Rajwant Singh, convener of EcoSikh, has thanked Giani Gurbachan Singh, the religious head of Akaal Takhat based in Amritsar, for his message to save the environment by planting trees. Giani Gurbachan Singh has given a special message to all Sikhs all over the world to plant a tree on March 14 in honor of Guru Har Rai, who became 7th Sikh Guru on March 14, 1644. In his directive, Giani Gurbachan Singh

said: The Gurmat (teachings of the Sikh Guru teachings) describes air as the Guru, water as the father and the earth as the

Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, while congratulating all the followers of Guru Nanak around the world on the occasion of GurGaddi

Giani Gurbachan Singh has given a special message to all Sikhs all over the world to plant a tree on March 14 in honor of Guru Har Rai, who became 7th Sikh Guru on March 14, 1644 mother and has told us to respect and take care of these three elements. I, hereby, from

Diwas of Sri Guru Har Rai ji, appeal that every Sikh should plant at least one sap-

ling on this auspicious occasion and attain blessings of Sri Guru Har Rai by celebrating this day as 'Sikh Environment Day' and wish that the Khalsa Panth remain at spiritual heights." He added: "The EcoSikh organization has taken up March 14th, 2011 Guru Gaddhi Diwas (day of enthronement) of Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib, to be celebrated as "Sikh Environment Day". Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib is remembered in Sikh history for his deep sensitivity to nature and its preservation. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 18

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Bay Area R-Day event - a celebration of democracy

Deputy Consul General Kumar Tuhin, Dr. Romesh Japra

KAVITA ARORA India Post News Service

NEWARK, CA: The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) kicked off its first event of the year celebrating India's 62nd Republic Day to a packed audience with over 500 in attendance with Vijaya Asuri as the gracious Emcee, on January 30 at the Newark Pavilion, in Newark, California. January 26, 1950, India's Republic Day is the day that the constitution of India came into force and India became a truly sovereign state. In India, both India's Independence Day and Republic Day are celebrated with much fervor. India's world famous Republic Day draws thousands of specta-

is one of the largest turn-out of dignitaries at any Indian event. In fact, Mayor of Union City, Mark Green, stated that he had been coming to the India Republic Day celebration for the past 14 years in the Bay Area. Overall, several dignitaries from California, political leaders, and members from Indian Consulate, Deputy Consul General Kumar Tuhin and Consul for Community Affairs, Ashok Kumar Sinha in San Francisco graced the occasion, along with folks we see year after year and also many young families and new faces. Hundreds of young and those young-at-heart participated in dance competitions. Including the children's art, skit, and public speaking competitions on Satur-

L - R - Dr. Romesh Japra, Sen. Ellen Corbett, Rajesh Verma, Councilmember Ash Kalra

tors and participants and is celebrated at New Delhi's India Gate and Presidential Palace. The festivities include an award ceremony and a parade showcasing India's army, navy, and air force, ethnic diversity, and many regional forms of dances and dress. In the Bay Area, Republic Day

day, January 29, it was a colorful and festive two-day celebration. Along with the United States, India is one of the world's largest democracies. This year, the FIA honored five individuals with the Celebration of Democracy 2011 awards. The recipients of this coveted award were Assembly

L - R - Paul Fong, Ellen Corbett, Ash Kalra

Member, Robert Wieckowski, AD - 20th, Assembly Member, Paul Fong, AD - 22nd, Robin Torello, Chair, Alameda County Democratic Party, Shobana Ramamurthi, Community Organizer, Organizing for America, and the youngest individual honored among the group, Deepa Sharma, Political Director, South County Young Democrats. Several Bay Area political leaders graced the occasion. Mayor of Fremont, Bob Wasserman along with his wife Linda, Mayer of Union City, Mark Green, City of San Jose Council member, Ash Kalra, Senator Ellen Corbett, Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty and several other council members, school board mem-

January 26, 1950, India's Republic Day is the day that the constitution of India came into force and India became a truly sovereign state. In India, both India's Independence Day and Republic Day are celebrated with much fervor bers, Union Sanitary District Board Members, members of the Fremont and Ohlone College School Boards, South County Young Democrats and a number of commissioners in the City of Fremont and other cities were present. Several other leading Bay Area

L- R Dr. Romesh Japra, Councilmember Ash Kalra, Rajesh Verma

dignitaries included Bill Harrison, Councilmember, Suzanne Lee Chan, Vice Mayor from the City of Fremont; Jim Navarro, Vice Mayor and Pat Gacoscos, Councilmember, from the City of Union City. Boards and commission mem-

Chair) and a commissioner from the Human Relations Commission. Other honorable attendees included Deepa Sharma, South County Young Democrats, the Washington Hospital Board of Directors Chair, Pat Danielson, and Marty Kohler from the Alameda County Water District. At the county level, the commissioners included Rajesh Verma, Alameda County of Public Health and Alameda County Human Relations Commissioner, Ishan Shah. Former Mayor of the City of Fremont, Gus Morrison was also present. As part of India's Republic Day celebrations, the Fremont Hindu Temple with organizer, Dharminder Dewan also put together a Public L - R - Shobana Ramamurthi, Scott Haggerty Speaking Competition, Skit Competibers included Greg Bonaccorsi, tion, and Drawing Competition at the Board Vice Chair and Teresa Cox Fremont Hindu Temple on Saturday, from the Ohlone College Board of January 29. Trustees; Jennifer Toy and "The Fremont Temple and CulManny Fernandez from the Union tural Center's Annual Republic Day Sanitary District; Fremont School Drawing and Skit Competition was Board, Lily Mei. a grand success with over 200 parFremont commissioners in- ticipants and great speakers and cluded: Human Relations Commis- artists. It took six judges and our sion, Veeru Vuppala; Library Com- group three hours to judge the commission: Dharminder Dewan and petition before the winners were Deepak Chhabra; Planning Com- announced," Dharminder Dewan mission, Raj Salwan, David told India Post. Bonaccorsi, Yogi Chugh (Vice Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 17

Community/California

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February 18, 2011

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LA Sargam hosts Seniors' Day

Scarlet Night to highlight risk of heart disease India Post News Service

India Post News Service

WEST HILLS, CA: The San Fernando Valley is home to several thousand families of Indian sub-continent origin. Problems faced by Indian American seniors living alone or with children are no different from those faced by American senior citizens-alienation and loneliness. Founded in 2008, LA Sargam is a Valley based organization to harness and eventually exhibit the Valley's indigenous talent for Indian music. To pay them due respect and to recognize them for their hard work and sacrifice, LA Sargam hosted a Seniors' Day on January 16 at Royal Delhi Palace Restaurant in West Hills, CA. The event was emceed by Dr Sayal. In his welcoming statements he recognized the efforts of early immigrants in educating and settling their children to be highly productive members of American society. Mrs Urmila Mukerjee, a resident of Woodland Hills, CA, was at hand to greet the members of her Senior Citizens' Club. Avtar Chadda, founder of LA Sargam, declared January 16 to be Seniors' Day. He invited seniors present at the occasion to sing along, dance, and

make special requests to hear the Bollywood songs of their choice. Chadda sang several songs of legendary Mohammed Rafi. Besides Chadda, several songs were also rendered by Gurdip Grewal, Complementary snacks and lunch were provided by Baljit Singh Bhullar, owner of Royal Delhi Palace restaurant. Other singers, Suprio Chakraborthy, Noory, Hoshi,

Everybody appeared to be fully involved enjoying this event. Some seniors got up, expressed their joy and showered blessings Imtiaz, Sunny and Shoba Vaswani also entertained the audience with their beautiful songs. Banquet Hall was fully packed by seniors representing different religions. Everybody appeared to be fully involved enjoying this event. Some seniors got up, expressed their joy and showered blessings. Special thanks were given to Karan Chadda for the music.

SAN JOSE: South Asians those of us who trace our ancestry to India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka - have a fourfold risk of heart disease than the general population. It strikes us at a much younger age and sneaks up on us without prior symptoms or warning. One organization working to spread awareness about the cause is the South Asian Heart Center (SAHC). It receives its primary fiscal support from the El Camino Hospital Foundation and is the first major nonprofit devoted to combating this epidemic. SAHC's annual fundraiser Scarlet Night 2011 will be held on March 12 at the San Jose Convention Center. The annual fundraiser - in its third year now helps the SAHC support its educational outreach, participant screening and individualized prevention planning and follow-up. "Almost everyone associated with the gala has a story to share, a story about a personal experience about themselves or a loved one struggling to find resources and asking themselves where they went wrong," says Ashish Mathur, Executive Director of the SAHC. "When people come to the gala, they're not there to listen to lectures about heart health. They meet with our volunteers, our doctors and our survivors. They hear first-hand what people have been through and the event is a celebration of what we've achieved as a community," he says. The gala begins at 6:00 pm and expects a crowd of 750 people.

The evening - which will be kicked off by Prakash Vaswani, a dynamic emcee at South Asian gatherings - promises to be an entertainment extravaganza featuring comedy, casino, fine dining catered by Amber India and dancing to music from DJ Salim. "We're still at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to spreading awareness and improving education about prevention. Scarlet

plained symptoms," says Priya Dharan whose husband suffered a cardiac event in 2008. The family did not realize that what he was going through had something to do with his heart. A Silicon Valley executive in his forties, Murali Dharan had a nearly hundred percent blockage in his right coronary artery. He and the family immediately took to educating themselves on hearth health and

SAHC's annual fundraiser Scarlet Night 2011 will be held on March 12 at the San Jose Convention Center. The annual fundraiser - in its third year now - helps the SAHC support its educational outreach, participant screening and individualized prevention planning and follow-up Nights 2009 and 2010 helped us raise friends for the Center and we hope Scarlet Night 2011 will help us raise significant funds to help us get to that next level," says Sheetal Singhal, gala cochair, donor and long-time supporter of the cause. "You'll be shocked to see how many people do not realize that heart health is not even in their subconscious until one day they feel those mysterious, unex-

found out that despite their simple lifestyle they needed a massive recalibration of how they ate, exercised and perceived heart health. "The good part is that we can make this change. We can become aware of our risk factors and change our lifestyle to manage these risks. And Scarlet Night celebrates the resolution that together we will make a difference," Dharan says.

State Bank of India notches handsome gains Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 14

The Bank was considering to have a facility on Devon Avenue in Chicago, dubbed by many as India Town, but the proposition has been shelved for the time being as on line banking and other technological innovations would be a good enough substitute to opening a branch there. SBI has noticed that its FCNR and other rupee related fixed term deposits have ceased to be that attractive now in as much as its interest rate is kept more or less at par with that offered by other banks. At a time

when the country faced an acute foreign exchange crisis with its reserve dwindling to near zero, the rate offered was as high as 12 per cent and that had led to a big surge in investing in fixed rate deposits. Kumar also said that the hike in the Bank rate in India in recent months may not necessarily lead to a hike in the FD rates. The performance of SBI Chicago in coming months and years would continue to be encouraging since the Indian economy continues to register a handsome growth rate that should boost bilateral trade with India. Also, the bank can bank on hike in corporate financing as well.

Community/California

February 18, 2011

India Post 17

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Bay Area R-Day event - a celebration of democracy

L - R, Deputy Consul General Kumar Tuhin, Paul Fong, Ash Kalra, Ellen Corbett Cont’d from page 15

Neeru Vermani said, "It was a great event and we are thrilled that we were a part of it and we get to see amazing little artists." Winners were awarded trophies in the Celebration of Democracy event

TANA President Jayaram Komati, Sen. Ellen Corbett, Dr. Romesh Japra, Ashwini Bhakri

ics, watercolors, hand painting on wood and glass, and sketching, told India Post, "the art competition at the Fremont Hindu Temple was really very good exposure for kids of all ages. I am glad most of my students participated and really did a good job. It was amaz-

Narang in 2nd place, and Rayhan Rani in 3rd place. Anushka Mrunal Potdar in 1st place, Aarushi Deshpande in 2nd place, and Shivek Narang in 3rd place. Pranav A. Lakhan in 1st place, Parth Anjaria in 2nd place, and Mihir Kumar Srivastava in 3rd

Fremont Mayor Bob Wasserman, Deepa Sharma, Sen. Ellen Corbett

Kumar Shrivastava in 3rd place. The winners of the Drawing Competition in various age categories were: Aditya Ghorpade in 1st place, Mohit Tamboli in 2nd place, Sayuri Rane in 3rd place, Tviha and Anisha Pollakondi were special mentions. In the next

under 11 years old, and above 11 years old for the Skit Competition. The winners were Himanshu Wagh, Pramshu Wagh, Shrimayee Grandhi, Haidavi Veladanda, and Sumeda in 1st place. Anirudh Rao, Adiya Rao, Pranav Bhushan, Pramukh

‘The theme being Republic Day it was really so nice to give them all kinds of examples as to draw a flag, or the Indian lotus flower, Indian Flag, or the national bird, Skit Competition Winners-Tanuska Dewan (on right) Justin Sidhu (in middle) & Abhay Dewan (on left) with FIA President Rajesh Verma

on January 30, as part of FIA's India Republic Day celebrations in the presence of numerous dignitaries. All the participants, parents, judges, and volunteers were provided lunch at the event. Yogi Chugh added, "Great job. I'm sim-

the peacock’

ing to see them do such good art and use their ideas in an innovative way. The theme being Republic Day it was really so nice to give them all kinds of examples as to draw a flag, or the Indian lotus flower, Indian Flag, or the na-

place. Hariharan in 1st place, Jiti Sarkar in 2nd place, and Ishani Deshpande in 3rd place. The winners of the Quiz Competition in various age categories were: Keshav Narang in 1st place and Rayhan Rani in 2nd place.

age category, Vishnu Anilkumar won 1st place, Aarushi Deshpande came in 2nd, and Nishithi Hundi was 3rd. Amol Gupta was 1st place, Tanushka Dewan was 2nd place, Janvi Sidhapura was 3rd place, and

Bhushan, Akhilash Varigonda, and Shreyas Kulkarni earned 2nd place, and Rachit Pareek and Novely Joshi came in at 3rd place. In the other age category, Juhi Mehta, Tushar Mehta, Tanya Mehta, Gautam Gudavalli, and Kanishk Kapoor

tional bird, the peacock. To do something like this by kids starting from three years of age is just wonderful." The winners of the Public Speaking Competition in various age categories were: Peher Kewalramani in 1st place, Keshav

Ashushka Mrunal Potdar in 1st place, Shivek Narange in 2nd place, and Ryan Rani in 3rd place. Amogh Manjunath in 1st place, Ananya Komerla in 2nd place, and Novely Joshi in 3rd place. Justin Sidhu in 1st place, Shreeya Tripathi in 2nd place, and Shagun

Anisha Narsam, Ananya Komarla, and Yukti Vijay were special mentions. Vani Anil Kumar was 1st place, Ishika Goel was 2nd place, Tanisha Singh was 3rd place, and Ishani Deshpande was recognized as a special mention. Among the two age categories,

won 1st place and Abhey Dewan, Justin Sidhu, and Tanushka Dewan earned 2nd place. Kavita Arora is Anchor & CoProducer of Sitaarre TV

‘It's so impressive, seeing them preparing and getting ready, and giving it their best. All the kids were winners’ ply amazed by the children who participated. It's so impressive, seeing them preparing and getting ready, and giving it their best. All the kids were winners." Hetal Anjaria, an art teacher based in Fremont with a background in mixed multimedia, acryl-

More pics on page 20

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18 India Post

Mayor Cho presides Festival of Friendship

India Post News Service

CERRITOS, CA: The City of Cerritos sponsored the 12th annual Festival of Friendship at the Los Cerritos Center on February 5. Participants experienced a variety of cultural entertainment simultaneously performed on three stages by many community groups. At the formal ceremony, Mayor Cho said "Through the Festival, the City of Cerritos is proud to showcase the many cultural traditions of the people who live in our city." On Sunday, February 6, Mayor Joseph Cho completed his 3rd full marathon at the Surf City USA

Marathon in City of Huntington Beach. On April 2009, Mayor Cho joined the Easy Runners Club and after taking the six week running class, completed the 16th Annual Keep LA Running charity 10K run organized by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 721 on July 12, 2009. Since then, Mayor Cho completed 3 half marathons and 3 full marathons including the Long Beach International City Bank Marathon and the Honda Los Angeles marathon. On March 20, 2011, he will challenge himself yet again by completing the full marathon at the 2011 Honda Los Angeles Marathon.

February 18, 2011

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Interfaith gathering at Sikh temple KANWAL PRAKASH SINGH

A group of leaders with KP Singh, a community activist

INDIANAPOLIS: The Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis honored Rev. Kent Millard, Co-Chair of the Indianapolis Interfaith Hunger Initiative, and others on January 30. Present on the occasion were many leaders dedicated to creating greater interfaith and cultural cooperation among Indians' growing diverse ethnic communities. The Sikh community planned this interfaith celebration as part of its Sunday worship. Among those in attendance were: Rev. Kent Millard, Senior Pastor at St. Luke's United Meth-

odist Church in Indianapolis and Giani Pritam Singh, Spiritual leader of The Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis. They were joined by Dave Miner, Volunteer Executive Director of IHI; Bilal Eksili, President of Niagara Foundation; Former First Lady of Indiana, Judy O'Bannon; Keira Amstutz, President and CEO of Indiana Humanities Council; Sr. Norma Rocklage, Vice President of Marian University and co-sponsor of the annual Interfaith Peace Prayer Service; Jane Gahlhausen, Director, Multi-Cultural Affairs, City of Indianapolis; Charlie Wiles,

Executive Director of International Interfaith Initiative and leader at the Peace Learning Center; Sonia Chen, President of Asian American Alliance; Carmen DeRusha, CoChair Multi-Ethnic Indiana Initiative; Rupal Thanawala and YoungHee Yedinak (executive at WTHR Channel 13), Board Members of Asian American Alliance; Mary Milz, Reporter for WTHR Channel 13 in Indianapolis; Luis and Ingrid Mateos; Dave Douglas, Pamela Hayes, Mary Spolyar, and worldclass photographer, Richard Clark. Cont’d on page 19

Akal Takhat call to plant a tree on March 14 Cont’d from page 14

The efforts of EcoSikh to celebrate this day as 'Sikh Environment Day' are very appreciable. The Creator God has created a vast variety of flora and fauna to maintain ecological balance on this earth. Whenever we try to modify creation, it loses its balance and we face disastrous earthquakes, floods, droughts etc. It is because of this disturbance in the ecology that environmentally sensitive people in the world are celebrating Environment days throughout the world. He reminded people of the message of the Sikh Gurus. "Confirming the presence of the Creator in His creation, Guru Nanak said: "Baleharee Kudrat Vasiya", which means, I am a sacrifice to Your almighty creative power which is pervading everywhere. And the Second Guru, Guru Angad, said: "Pavan Guru, Pani Pita, Mata Dharat Mahat !!", which means "Air is the Guru, Water is the Father, and Earth is the Great Mother of all"." Giani Gurbachan Singh was appointed as Jathedar in 2008, after serving 37 years as a Sikh religious preacher. His last appointment was as Head Granthi of Sri Harmandir Sahib, the Golden Temple. Dr. Rajwant Singh, convener of EcoSikh, has called it an important step forward for Sikhs to show "our passion to save the environment and the message from Akal Takhat will inspire many Sikhs all over the world to become eco-warriors. This will be an implementation of Guru Har Rai's teachings."

Guru Har Rai is known to have been a great humanitarian who had special sensitivity towards nature preservation and the well-being of animals. He maintained an extensive herbal garden for medicinal purposes for the benefit of the masses in Kiratpur Sahib, his birthplace and his spiritual centre near Anandpur Sahib. EcoSikh has received confirmation of participation from dozens of Sikh institutions in India and abroad already in this ini-

‘Our passion to save the environment and the message from Akal Takhat will inspire many Sikhs all over the world to become eco-warriors’ tiative to celebrate March 14th and hopes many more will join. EcoSikh has also launched a website (www.ecosikh.org) for gurdwaras and Sikh institutions to register their participation internationally. Ecosikh has also appointed two staff members, agriculture engineer Ravneet Pal Singh in Punjab, India and Yale University environmental science post-graduate Bandana Kaur in NewYork to help co-ordinate this global campaign.

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February 18, 2011

India Post 19

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Bristol-Myers Squibb hosts liver awareness reception KAVITA ARORA India Post News Service

PALO ALTO: Bristol-Myers Squibb, a global pharmaceutical company, hosted a Liver Awareness reception at the Sheraton Hotel in Palo Alto featuring California State Assembly Woman Fiona Ma, Katy Wong, and several in-language physicians to discuss chronic Hepatitis B in the Asian-American community. Well-Known Stanford University physician, Aijaz Ahmed, M.D. joined other key speakers, Stephen Lee, M.D., Chris Wong, M.D., Huy Trinh, M.D., along with Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Host, Hong Tang, M.D. The purpose of this event was to help educate the Asian American community about the potential health impact of chronic hepatitis B, to destigmatize the disease, and clarify existing misconceptions. Dr. Ahmed, Associate Professor of Medicine and Medical Director, Adult Liver Transplant Program at the Stanford University School of Medicine told India Post, "Hepatitis B most significantly impacts people of Asian descent and people coming from India or those born in India should at least get screened." Dr. Ahmed added that "the majority of the Indian population does not get the standard of care. There is either high risk behavior, or blood donation, dialysis, and also blood contamination issues in India and the general population rarely get tested." Even for

(From left to right) Dr. Hong Tang, Dr. Aijaz Ahmed, Dr. Stephen Lee, Dr. Huy Trinh, Dr. Christopher Wong

those entering the U.S. the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends screening, but does not require it as compared to HIV screening which is mandated. Screenings are recommended once immigrants or visitors enter the U.S. since 78% of all cases occur in Asia, 16% of all cases occur in Africa, and 6% of all

Pacific Islanders and the Indian Subcontinent, approximately 50% of the population has had hepatitis B. The global prevalence is 300 to 400 million people in the world. "There are approximately 6 billion people in the world and out of that number, 2 billion or one third of the world's population has seen Hepatitis B and re-

Hepatitis B can be hard to diagnose or can be easily misdiagnosed because symptoms can be vague or there may be no symptoms in some people or symptoms can be similar to other diseases cases occur in South America, Europe, North America and Oceania combined. (Blood Safety Surveillance and Health Care Acquired Infections Division, Health Canada) Among the Asian population,

covered from it," said, Dr. Ahmed. Of that 6 billion, 400 million are chronically affected by an active infection. In the United States, approximately 1.25 million people are chronically infected with hepati-

tis B, over half are of Asian descent, and an estimated one in ten Asian Americans is chronically infected with Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is one of the most common forms of hepatitis, a group of serious diseases that cause inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus. It is caused by a virus that affects the liver. Adults who get hepatitis B usually recover. However, most infants infected at birth become chronic carriers i.e. they carry the virus for many years and can spread the infection to others. Hepatitis B can be hard to diagnose or can be easily misdiagnosed because symptoms can be vague or there may be no symptoms in some people or symptoms can be similar to other diseases. It can result in complications of the liver, such as cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure, and an increased risk of developing liver

cancer. Early symptoms may include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, muscle aches and jaundice or other symptoms such as pain in the upper right abdomen (due to an inflamed liver). There is no cure for hepatitis B. Treatment includes rest, ensuring good nutrition, and antiviral medications in some cases. For serious cases in which liver damage or liver failure has occurred, hospitalization may be necessary. Treatment in the hospital may include medications and other diagnostic testing and liver transplant. Hepatitis B is spread but one cannot get hepatitis B from hugging someone, holding hands, having someone sneeze or cough on you, breastfeeding your baby, eating food or drinking water or casual contact (such as a social or office setting). Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood or fluids contaminated with blood. That means blood transfusions with contaminated blood, tattoos, from infected mothers to infants, body piercing, needle sticks, IV drugs with contaminated needles, manicures that made you bleed (instruments are not sterilized), sharing razors, toothbrushes, anything that could pass infected blood to your blood such as undergoing dialysis for kidney disease. Even doing IV drugs once could have given you the virus or sharing straws with someone that had nasal sores or bleeding. Kavita Arora is Anchor & Co-Producer of Sitaarre TV

Interfaith gathering at Sikh temple Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 18

The hosts and planning committee for this event were led by Jasvir Singh Lalli, President. A number of volunteers including young ones, had assisted in the first canned-food drive of the

guests for taking the time to visit and learn about Sikh faith and traditions. Some of the visiting guests were honored for their contributions to the life and spirit of our City and State. Rev. Kent Millard was presented with the Sikh cer-

Some of the visiting guests were honored for their contributions to the life and spirit of our City and State. Rev. Kent Millard was presented with the Sikh ceremonial Siropa and an elegant coffee-table book Interfaith leaders and guests at Sikh Temple

New Year in support of IHI. Over 3,050 pounds of food and $1,250 were donated in honor of our guests. Jasvir Lalli welcomed guests while a long time community volunteer, KP Singh, thanked the

emonial Siropa and an elegant coffee-table book, The Sikhs, by world-renowned author Khushwant Singh. Books and scarves were also presented to Bilal Eksili, Sr. Norma Rocklage, Young-Hee Yedinak, Former First

Lady Judy O'Bannon, Keira Amstutz, Sonia Chen, Charlie Wiles, and Carmen DeRusha. Dave Miner was presented a check, all funds donated by the Sikh congregation and visiting

friends to support the Interfaith Hunger Initiative. The North Indian Punjabi vegetarian lunch served in the traditional style in the Langar Hall. Each speaker reminded the au-

dience about the need to come together for critical initiatives as hunger, homelessness, other worthy humanitarian causes, and learning from and about each other.

20 India Post

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February 18, 2011

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Bay Area R-Day event - a celebration of democracy

Children dancing at Republic Day event

Quiz Competition Winner Justin Sidhu receiving award from FIA President Mr. Rajesh Verma

Horoscope

February 18, 2011

India Post

www.indiapost.com

Your Weekly future February 18th - February 24th by Pandit Parashar

eople in business will do well. Money wise you will stay comfortable. Some one lot younger will try to create some problems at work but will not succeed. You will do some work in and around the house and get rid of things piling dust. You may call an old friend and seek his advice. A business trip is also in the air.

nnecessary stress can cause loss of appetite and upset stomach. Business will continue to grow and you will keep marching towards your professional goals and may even finish project before deadline. Try to relax in spare time and go for a walk if possible. Spouse will give you few very practical and great ideas.

his may not be the right time to look for a change in career. Money wise you will continue to do well and receive some kind of refund also. Value of stocks will appreciate and you may dispose off some and pocket the profit. People in business will experience better sales. Issue involving a child will be resolved favorably.

ust be careful with all financial transactions and do not stretch your limits. People in business should keep an eye on employees. Business will be better and you will take few sound decisions in career. Do not make any commitments in a hurry. You may start working on a short vacation with family around Easter break.

lanets are favorable for all financial matters. You may hit some kind of jackpot, don't forget to try your hands at lottery also. There will be slight change in travel plans. You will try your best to maintain a balance between family and professional life. Deal you had been working on, can be finalized.

lanets will make things happen quick. You will not only regain confidence but hit your professional goal also. Your image in social circle will improve and you will be invited to a big gathering. You may meet an interesting personality during the course of a trip. You will make few more important clients this week.

ou may be in touch with some wise people to seek advice on how to deal with some important issues or headache. Watch out for people trying to flirt. No harm in enjoying life but do not take them seriously or will get hurt later. Some one with honey colored eyes or going little bald will be very helpful.

trong Venus in first will give you many reasons to celebrate. Roadblocks will be lifted and you will achieve your goals. Some of you will be offered a lucrative job also. Strong chances that a new member will be added to family. You may spend some money on electronic gadgets or do some repairs in or around your home.

Pandit Parashar, CEO & COO Astro Scan USA is also available for individual consultations. He can be reached at: parashar@parashar.com

ou will continue to work on a very good idea and keep looking for right partners to launch. You will be invited to couple of parties this week. You will try to take time out of busy schedule and help your child with home work. People seeking a change will be called for second interview and receive the assurance.

ake advice and second opinion before you make any big moves. Legal matters will take a favorable turn and victory is within reach. Relationship will keep getting stronger and commitment is not far off. You may dispose off recently purchased stocks and pocket the money. Keep an eye on an important mail.

f you keep your emotions under check, you are guaranteed winner. Transiting Venus in second will bring fresh opportunity to make fast bucks. Try to be calm when on phone and use soft language when writing any important mail if you really want to get the job done. You may be thinking of traveling long distance.

elp will come from totally unexpected places. You will be calling overseas more frequently and may travel on short notice. You will be still aiming for long term goals and not on short ones. Health will get better with minor change in diet. You may recover lots of money and may even receive a big check from insurance this week. It will take some more time to find a better and ideal place to move.

925-833-7170 website: www.parashar.com

Tech News Air India to get Boeing 787 by 4th quarter of 2011 BANGALORE: Aircraft major Boeing has announced Air India would receive the delivery of its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the firm's most fuel efficient carrier, in the fourth quarter of 2011. The Air India delivery would follow the first delivery to Japanese airline Air Nippon Airways, slated for the third quarter of this year, Boeing India President Dinesh Keskar said here. The project to deliver the commercial jets is almost three years behind schedule. The company would deliver a total of 27 Boeing 787s, a midsized aircraft, to Air India and 10 to Jet Airways. However, he refused to specify the time frame for the remaining deliveries. He said Jet Airways will have to wait for the delivery as the airline had placed its orders much after Air India. -PTI

TechBiz 22 India Post

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February 18, 2011

IAFs Suryakiran aerobatic team performs during the Aero India 2011, Indias biggest air show, at Yelahanka Air base in Bangalore

Global firms eye deals at Bangalore airshow

'Eurofigther Typhoon is not expensive' BANGALORE: A top UK defense official dismissed suggestions that the offer of Eurofighter Typhoon, one of the contenders for the USD ten billion medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) contract in India, is "overpriced". Responding to questions at a press conference here, Air Marshal Leeson, Chief of Material Air, Royal Air Force, said he did not support the view that the Typhoon offer was "expensive". If one assessed its capability, it's actually a cost-effective solution", he argued. "I don't accept that Eurofighter Typhoon is very expensive". He said Typhoon compares "extraordinarily well" vis-a-vis "through life costs".

Red Bull aerobatics team fly in formation past a US cargo aircraft on the eve of the Aero India 2011 exposition at the Yelhanka Air Force station in Bangalore

BANGALORE: South Asia's top airshow, Aero India 2011, took off on a impressive note here with global defense majors eyeing lucrative deals and India vowing to modernize its armed forces to meet the challenge posed by 'violent disturbances' in the neighborhood. A two-hour flying display held the centre-stage at Yelahanka Air Force Station after Defense Minister A K Antony declared open the five-day biennial air show, the biggest to date with strong domestic and international participation. Antony said the event would further enhance India's emergence as an attractive market and

a key outsourcing hub for global aerospace firms. He said India had always been a votary of peace but "violent disturbances" in its immediate and extended neighborhood posed security challenges to it and the region. "Our Government is steadfast in its resolve to meet any challenge. We are, therefore, committed to ensure rapid modernization of our armed forces and equip them with state-of-the-art systems, equipment and platforms," he said. Antony also said India's defense expenditure currently, 2.5 per cent of its GDP, was bound to

Tejas to be inducted into IAF by next year BANGALORE: The indigenous Light Combat Aircraft 'Tejas' will be inducted into the Indian Air Force by 2012 and its advanced version will be ready for operational service by the end of 2015. "LCA Tejas Mk-I would be ready for induction by 2012. The LCA Mk-II would take another three years and would be inducted by 2015," Defense Minister A K Antony told reporters here. Last month, the Tejas had moved a step closer to its induction after it was granted the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) by the Indian Air Force.

Light Combat Aircraft Tejas flies past during the Aero India 2011

Asked about the possible induction date of the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA), Antony said, "All the difficulties

related to the aircraft were over and the preliminary design Contract has also been signed. We hope it will be inducted by 2017."-PTI

A K Antony with US Ambassador Timothy J Roemer visiting the stalls after inauguration

increase over the next two decades. The home-grown Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Tejas, which recently obtained initial operational clearance taking it a step closer to induction into IAF, stole the show with breathtaking "vertical loops" and mid-air maneuvers. The fly-past took off with Mi8 formation flying with the Indian tricolor along with the flags of Indian Air Force and Defense Research and Development Organization as India and participating nations demonstrated their air prowess. Dornier conducted "the small boy formation", while Jaguars demonstrated an "arrow head formation" while Sukhoi-30 MKI caught the attention with their short take offs and the "Trishul formation". Off the turmac, the USD ten billion medium multi-role combat aircraft contract dominated the discussions along with other deals on offer and in the pipeline. Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet, France's Rafale and Swedish Saab Gripen and Eurofighter Typhoon put up some superlative flying displays at the aeroshow. Defense Production Secretary R K Singh said at the inaugural function that India's defense and aerospace market was expected to reach USD 150 billion by 2030.-PTI

US looking for more defense sales BANGALORE: US was looking at possibly more defense sales and strategic cooperation to further deepen its relationship with the country, American Ambassador to India Timothy J Roemer said here. Reiterating President Barack Obama's commitment to enhance its strategic relationship with India, paving the way for a two-way street, he said, US was also looking at more cooperation and business opportunities in the field of infrastructure and developing airports. Addressing reporters here on the eve of Aero India 2011, Roemer said US had brought to Bangalore "superior technology" at "the best price" for the show. Gary Locke, US Secretary of Commerce, said "commerce is an important link in the relationship". On defense related agreements, Timothy said signing of the defense foundational agreements, including Logistics Support Agreement, would mean "huge benefits would accrue to India."-PTI

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February 18, 2011

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Locke sees great potential in India-US relations India Post News Service

NEW DELHI: Recognizing India's growing economic and strategic role in the world, Gary Locke, US Secretary of Commerce said, "India has become a crucial security partner and a force for global stability: joining with us to fight terrorism, assisting with the reconstruction of Afghanistan, supporting global non-proliferation efforts in Iran, and conducting more joint military exercises with America than any nation in the world." He was speaking at a session organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi. Anand Sharma, Minister for Commerce and Industry, Hari S Bhartia, President, CII and Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII also addressed the session. Locke is leading a delegation of 24 American companies in the areas of civil nuclear, defense & security, civil aviation, and Information & communications - 14 of which are Small and Medium Enterprises. Commending India for its sustained GDP growth, Locke encouraged enhancing the partnership between US and Indian businesses. He specifically referred to

areas such as infrastructure and technology, in which the US could help India meet its development objectives. Anand Sharma also supported partnership with the US to realize and sustain India's growth targets. India plans to raise productivity

Locke is leading a delegation of 24 American companies in the areas of civil nuclear, defense & security, civil aviation, and Information & communications - 14 of which are Small and Medium Enterprises in agriculture sector and improve supply chain by investing in agriculture extension services, invest USD 1 trillion in infrastructure over the next five years, and raise the share of manufacturing in GDP which has stagnated at around

16%. Inviting US investments to India, Sharma said that US companies can play a crucial role in these sectors. To maximize the potential of the US-India relationship, Locke called for addressing some of the market access hurdles faced by US businesses. He pointed out that while tariff rates have come down in certain areas, they remain exorbitantly high in several others. Non-tariff barriers such as FDI caps in key sectors, and inadequate protection of intellectual property rights are among other concerns that need to be addressed. In his welcome remarks Hari Bhartia stated that as US proceeds towards its target of doubling exports in next five years, India will prove to be a valuable and exciting market, supported by rising incomes, youthful population and vibrant enterprises. Bhartia appreciated the removal of nine Indian organizations, including ISRO and DRDO from the US Entities list and added that this will go a long way in strengthening our strategic partnership, fostering heightened trust and boosting high technology trade.

Indian Minister for Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma shakes hands with US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke prior to a meeting in New Delhi

Anil seeks gas for Samalkot ISRO terminating contract with Devas plant expansion NEW DELHI: Industrialist Anil Ambani called on Oil Minister S Jaipal Reddy and sought natural gas allocation for his group's power projects, like the expansion being planned at Samalkot unit in Andhra Pradesh. "He (Anil Ambani) is interested in power projects. He met me in that connection," Reddy told reporters after the meeting which lasted about an hour. Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) firm Reliance Power is building a 2,400 MW unit adjacent to its Samalkot plant in Andhra Pradesh and needs about 8 million standard cubic meters per day of fuel. Reddy said the ADAG chairman sought natural gas for power projects, but refused to give details. Ambani did not take questions from media persons after the meeting. "We discussed (gas requirement of power plants) in generalized terms," Reddy said, adding that gas allocation was done by an Empowered Group of Ministers and Anil Ambani's "suggestion and request" will be considered by that group. Earlier, Reliance Industries Ex-

ecutive Director P M S Prasad had made a "courtesy" call on Reddy. After the meeting, which lasted over an hour, Prasad had said this was his first ever meeting with Reddy, who last month took over as the Oil Minister. The power ministry has favored allocation of most of the new gas output from fields like

Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) firm Reliance Power is building a 2,400 MW unit adjacent to its Samalkot plant in Andhra Pradesh and needs about 8 million standard cubic meters per day of fuel those of Reliance Industries, to projects like Samalkot expansion. It has recommended allocation of 20.96 mmscmd of gas to seven projects, including Samalkot expansion, for allocation of gas. The projects are the ones that will come up in the 11th Five Year Plan period ending March 31, 2012.-PTI

NEW DELHI: Under attack over an alleged scam in allocation of scarce S-band spectrum, the ISRO has announced that it has already initiated the process to terminate the deal with Devas Multimedia and claimed there was no financial loss to the government on account of this. However, ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan admitted that details about the 2005 contract under which Devas, floated by a former ISRO official, was to receive rights to 90 per cent usage of transponders on two satellites, were not shared with the Space Commission or the Union Cabinet. “One point that was not explicitly mentioned (to the Union Cabinet) was that GSAT 6 and GSAT 6A satellites are going to be predominantly used for this novel and commercial application that Antrix had entered into with M/s Devas,” he said. In the wake of media reports that the deal between Devas and Antrix, commercial arm of ISRO, could cause a loss of over Rs two lakh crore, the ISRO chief held a press conference to clarify that neither spectrum nor transponders or satellites were given to Devas or Antrix so far. “The question of revenue loss incurred does not arise,” said Radhakrishnan, who was accom-

panied by former ISRO chief and Member, Planning Commission K Kasturirangan. He said the process of review of the contract was initiated in December 8, 2009 and soon “we are expecting it to complete it.” “In December 2009, I instituted a committee with a former member of Space Commission for a comprehensive review of all matters,” he said explaining the genesis of the process of review. To a question whether the Prime

Minister was aware of the deal, he said the contract is finalized by the Antrix Board and he had taken up the matter to the Space Commission. “After the decision, I broached the matter with the Prime Minister, who is our Minister in charge and that is how the PMO conveyed a press note on the issue,” he said. At this point Kasturirangan interjected to point out that the review process was proof of the robustness of the decision making system.–PTI

TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

1 Sheila Ki Jawani : Tees Maar Khan 2 Yeh Des Hai Mera: Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey 3 Tarkeebein: Band Baaja Baaraat 4 Shakira : No Problem 5 Chamki Jawani :

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February 18, 2011

Yamla Pagla Deewana 6 Kaare Kaare Badra : Mirch 7 Teri Parchhaiyan : Tera Kya Hoga Johny 8 Aali Re: No One Killed Jessica 9 Wallah Re: Tees Maar Khan 10 Isi Umar Mein : Isi Life Mein

hoom, India's version of the hi-octane thriller films, is one of the most successful series in Bollywood. The much talked about third part of Dhoom has finally got the booster shot it needed. It is now official that Aamir Khan will be playing the villain in Dhoom: 3. Confirming this Aamir says, "It is indeed a pleasure to be working with Yashji and Adi once again. Dhoom is a great franchise, most entertaining and full of fun. Every time I hear the theme tune of Dhoom it brings a swing to my step. Victor's script really won me over and I look forward to working with him." Says producer Yash Chopra, "It's a great pleasure to have Aamir working with YRF once again. It's even more special that he will be doing Dhoom: 3. I am terribly excited with what an actor like Aamir will bring to the Dhoom franchise with his unique star power and level of performance. Adi and Victor have worked over a year to bring out, what I can now confidently say, is possibly one of the best scripts coming out of YRF and I am sure that with Aamir and Adi together, they will both create magic to give our audience one of the most exciting films they have ever seen." Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra will be seen in their previous avatars of Jai Dixit and Ali respectively. Produced by Aditya Chopra, Dhoom 3 will be directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya.

Egypt, insists Celina

C V

idya Balan says the audience will see her in a "bolder avatar" in the upcoming movie "Dirty Picture". "It doesn't get bolder than this," said Vidya. The movie is based on the life of Silk Smitha, one of the most popular sex sirens of the mid eighties in the South Indian film industry. She was known for her bold roles and skimpy outfits. Riding high on the success of her last film "No One Killed Jessica", Vidya feels playing Silk Smitha on screen is very interesting as there are no similarities between the two women. "I have to work hard to portray the character of Silk Smitha because there is no similarity between us. It is really interesting that you play a character, which is totally different from you. I am very excited," Vidya told reporters on the sidelines of the launch of a book penned by film producer Pritish Nandy. "Dirty Picture" will also have Nasseeruddin Shah sharing screen space opposite Vidya.

elina Jaitly's wedding date is finalized. The actress says she will tie the knot with Dubai-based Austrian businessman Peter Haag Sept 23 in Egypt, which is now in turmoil. "By September I'm sure everything will be back to normal in Egypt. It has to be. A strife of this sort cannot last for more than some days. Peter and I will take our marriage vows in Egypt and nowhere else. We decided that when we decided to get married. That won't change," said Celina, 30. She intends to visit Egypt as soon as the present unrest subsides. "I spent an entire month there until 15th Dec for a shoot. I attended the Cairo film festival as jury for 12 days, and shot for approximately a week for an ad campaign all over Cairo without a clue about any (such) incident taking (place in) Egypt." Celina has initiated a campaign for peace in Egypt on her official website.

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February 18, 2011

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he is still looking for the right man, says Deepika Padukone who is often spotted with industrialist Vijay Mallya's son Siddharth after breaking up with Ranbir Kapoor. "I haven't thought of marriage. I still have to find the right man to even consider marriage," Deepika told reporters at Imran Khan and Avantika's wedding reception where she came with Sidhharth. Siddharth also, when asked about their relationship, passed the buck to Deepika saying: "I have planned nothing as yet. You should ask her." Commenting upon the rumors about his and Deepika's relationship, he said: "I was out of the country when I heard of it. It made me laugh." Deepika, who featured with Imran in "Break Ke Baad", said it was must for her to attend her co-star's wedding reception. "I owe it to Imran. I was shooting in Bhopal and have just landed and coming straight from the airport to attend the reception," she said.

he never went to college, but Kangana Ranaut got the chance to enjoy campus life when she stayed in a Delhi University hostel to prepare for her role in the romantic comedy "Tanu Weds Manu". In the film, Kangana plays a resident student of Delhi University. The 23-year-old stayed at the PG Women's Hostel in 2009. The producers arranged for her stay and took the required measures to protect her identity. "The character of Tanu is rooted in Delhi University. I stayed there and it helped me in my performance. Till date I am thankful to the girl who hosted me and was my roommate. We ended up becoming friends," Kangana, who started working at the age of 16, said. Directed by Anand Rai, "Tanu Weds Manu" has R. Madhavan playing Kangana's love interest in the film.

ipasha Basu thinks she makes a sizzling couple with her long-time beau, actor John Abraham, con trary to what a publication quoted her as saying. "Whoever from the media quoted me in print saying John n me lk (look) like a boring couple, is bizarre. My real opinion, we look "SMOKING HOT"," Bipasha posted on her Twitter page. The actress was quoted in a leading daily saying "We have become a boring couple". However, it was said in an explanation as to why the two aren't being seen together at social events. The duo has been dating since around eight years, and their chemistry was evident in 2003 film "Jism". Bipasha says it is one of her favorites. "Was watching clips of all my films and I have to say JISM is still my favorite! Everything about the film was magical," she posted on her Twitter page.

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February 18, 2011

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n her new book, Girl in the Mirror, Nina Dhillon boldly declares, "This book isn't for girls who want to be cool. It's for girls who want to have a better life than their parents had." The book underscores that girls must make choices by keeping consequences in mind.

Nina Dhillon

ing to groups and schools about the book in order to engage girls and their parents personally. According to Dhillon, peer pressure is the biggest factor in young girls' lives. They do things to please their peers instead of making the right choices. Girl in the Mirror will give them the courage to love and take care of themselves instead of succumbing to pressure to please "everybody." Dhillon tells girls that they have options while they're still young and they need to set goals very early in life. "While you're young, the most important person

According to Dhillon, peer pressure is the biggest factor in young girls' lives. They do things to please their peers instead of making the right choices

"There are numerous motivational, self-improvement and inspirational books for grown-ups, but I looked around and could not find any self-improvement books for young girls," Dhillon explains. "I have always thought about one thing: Why do we let our girls go on the wrong path or let them damage their lives? Once they are messed up, then we start correcting them. But by then they are frustrated, discouraged and have already become too stubborn to change.'"

Dhillon's purpose in writing this book is to reach girls in their young years while they are still innocent and more responsive to learning new ideas and techniques. She suggests that they read this book not once but 20 to 30 times, so they resonate with the ideas that will help them shape their lives. She also enjoys speak-

Frieda Pinto among top beauties in films

ndian beauty Frieda Pinto has outrun Hollywood stars like Natalie Portman and Julia Roberts in a new 'Most Beautiful Women in Film' list. Compiled by the Los Angeles Times magazine, the list has the 'Slumdog Millionaire' star at number 38, followed by Oscar-nominated Portman and Hollywood's own 'Pretty Woman' Roberts. Pinto even pipped Sharon Stone and Elizabeth Taylor, who were at 43 and 44 respectively. French actress Isabelle Adjani, 55, known for her roles in 'Queen Margot' and 'Possession', topped the list comprising 50 names. Adjani is followed by Brigitte Bardot, Kim Basinger, Monica Bellucci and Halle Berry. Jennifer Connelly ranked ninth, while Spanish beauty Penelope Cruz took the 11th place. Yesteryears' screen beauties Farrah Fawcett, Greta Garbo and Ava Gardner came 15th, 16th and 17th. Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe were voted in at number 22 and 32 respectively. Superstar Angelina Jolie could only manage the 23rd place, while R&B star Beyonce Knowles was at 25 and Australian beauty Nicole Kidman at 26. 'Gossip Girl' actress Blake Lively, who took the 30th place, was the youngest star on the list at the age of 23. -Agencies

you need to love is yourself," she says. In a gentle, but no-nonsense manner, she shows young girls how to be aware of their options and get on the right path "before the damage is done." She acknowledges that styles and methods of communication may change, but the desire for acceptance and popularity can lead young girls to make damaging decisions. Instead, she advocates deciding on a positive direction, focusing on studies and developing positive energy and self-esteem. Parents and children need to be a part of the process, and communication between them is vital. Dhillon thinks that kids have been treated too much like kids and girls have been relegated to subordinate roles. In order to change those dynamics, young girls have to focus on their goals and make some sacrifices. For instance, Dhillon takes a strong stand against harmful "time wasters" - talking on the phone, texting, chatting on the Internet and dating, but she illustrates by example rather than preaching. "I want to make a difference in the lives of girls and their parents," Dhillon says. "If I had received this kind of guidance, my life would have been less of a struggle and success would have come sooner and easier." The book is easy to read, replete with pictures and anecdotes. It has an interactive format that allows readers to journal and set goals while absorbing Dhillon's ideas. "Every word in this book came straight from my heart," Dhillon emphasizes.

February 18, 2011

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Mega festival to showcase India jewels that dazzle from the princely era of the Mughals and Maharajas. And, to top it all, feasts of Indian food for the entire three-week period of the festival, prepared by 12 world-class, awardwinning Indian chefs, representing all regions of the country. Organizers of the festival say they have traveled, researched, and scoured the country for the best it can offer. Presented in cooperation with Indian

India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in cooperation with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Embassy of India is holding a mega festival "maximum INDIA" showcasing Indian arts and culture from March 1-20, 2011. India is home to 1.2 billion people; 24 languages; 1,600 dialects; 28 states; myriad cuisines; 330,000 gods and goddesses; 300 ways to cook a potato; the Ganges attracting millions to its banks; home also of Mahatma Gandhi - a moral force; and one of the richest and most ancient cultures on the planet. India is also home to a million art forms, both traditional and modern. 'maximum India' brings perhaps not a million, but many wonderful and unusual aspects of the country's diverse arts and culture, from folkloric to classical and contemporary. It is designed to surprise and delight visitors with dance, music, and theater performed by India's most acclaimed artists. Film selections from the world's most robust movie industry, featuring both indie and Bollywood films; prize-winning authors reading, debating, conversing, and sharing their insights; exhibitions that astonish and confront; incredible and unimaginable crafts from exquisite collections;

'maximum India' brings perhaps not a million, but many wonderful and unusual aspects of the country's diverse arts and culture, from folkloric to classical and contemporary

The festival co-chair Indra K. Nooyi

Council for Cultural Relations, New Delhi and Embassy of India, Washington, DC, the festival co-chairs are Indra K. Nooyi, Chairman & CEO of PepsiCo; David M. Rubenstein, Managing Director of Carlyle Group; Stephen A. Schwarzman of the Blackstone Group and Dr. Romesh and Kathleen Wadhwani. International Programming at the Kennedy Center is made possible through the generosity of the Kennedy Center International Committee on the Arts.

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February 18, 2011 www.indiapost.com

Feng Shui for the perfect wedding India Post News Service

NEW YORK: People familiar with the ancient Indian science of Vaastu may have found many parallels in the Chinese art of Feng Shui. And for any prospective bride or groom, who believes in Feng Shui besides wants to have that perfect wedding, if not a successful married life, Chinese horoscope experts Laura Lau and her mother Theodora Lau, authors of the top-selling The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes, have come up with their new offering: Wedding Feng Shui. From finding your luckiest wedding day to choosing the perfect flowers, Wedding Feng Shui (Harper Paperbacks; Trade Paperback Original) is a unique guide to wedding planning.

share a strong sense of symbolism, family and spirituality," says Lau. "My hope with writing Wedding

Laura Lau, who married into the Indian Karmarkar family, was present to read excerpts from her book, at the Indo-American Arts Council-sponsored book launch, Feb 6 in New York City. "My wedding was a blend of Chinese and Indian wedding traditions, and I love how both cultures

Accompanied by beautiful Chinese calligraphy, Wedding Feng Sui introduces readers to their Chinese moon sign, shows them how to use their sign's natural strengths during the planning process Feng Shui is to have brides think about incorporating cultural traditions in new and creative ways."

In their book, Laura and Theodora share answers to the most popular wedding questions they have received over the years and teach readers how to customize a wedding based on the bride and groom's lunar and solar signs. Accompanied by beautiful Chinese calligraphy, Wedding Feng Sui introduces readers to their Chinese moon sign, shows them how to use their sign's natural strengths during the planning process, and predicts challenges leading up to the big day. "Vastu springs from the same tradition as Feng Shui, leading to amazing similarities in addressing individuals and their lifestyles through both traditions," says Aroon Shivdasani, Executive Director of the Indo-American Arts

Council. "A great believer in horoscopes and the 'other forces' of nature, Laura's book allows me to think of the fascinating intersection of Chinese and Indian cultural traditions." By interweaving traditional and nontraditional elements, Wedding Feng Shui helps brides make every aspect of the wedding personalized and special, from choosing the most auspicious day to selecting the right dress and the luckiest colors, flowers, and symbols. Chinese horoscopes for every sign also offer essential insights on how to best manage the many relationships that come together with a marriage - the interaction of the couple, in-laws, bridesmaids, groomsmen, vendors, and guests.

Slimmer women, fatter men Suhaag Show in Toronto a big hit receive higher salaries India Post News Service

WASHINGTON: ''Men should be big and strong, and women skinny'' - a cultural lesson drilled into our heads ever since we were tots. Unfortunately, that's how it has to be if you want to earn a fair salary. According to a recent study, men who are skinnier than average cash smaller paychecks than normalweighted men, while thin women are paid significantly more than their average-size counterparts, reports the Washington Post. Experts say it is just another sign that as a society, we have internalized the unrealistic, mediadriven physical ideals that show up in the workplace and, therefore, the pocketbook. Researchers Timothy Judge and Daniel Cable found thin

Employers and fellow employees associate values of self-discipline, thrift, hard work and positivity with thin individuals women earned about 16,000 dollars more a year on average. In contrast, thin men earned about 8,000 dollars less than their more muscular male co-workers. They said that much of the problem is the result of subconscious decisions based on entrenched social stereotypes. Their report cites studies in which obese individuals were identified as ''undisciplined, dishonest and less likely to do productive work''. Conversely, the researchers pointed out that employers and fellow employees associate values of self-discipline, thrift, hard work and positivity with thin individuals. The researchers suggested that employers look at their assumptions about employees' weight, because they may be rooted in prejudice. The study is published in the Journal of Applied Psychology. Agencies

TORONTO: Over 11,000 who attended 14 Year Anniversary Scotiabank Suhaag Show went away greatly impressed. The event was also supported by Chivas Regal. From glamorous outfits, a wide array of exhibitors, exotic cars, video and mandap set-ups, sumptuous food, chocolate truffle samples and free giveaways, the event was a big hit. With over 175 booths, people flocked through the doors of the Toronto Congress Centre to get

a taste of what exhibitors had to offer. Anywhere from photographers and mehndi artists, to fi-

nancial consultants and fashion specialists, the Suhaag show provided visitors with information on weddings, fashion, and lifestyle all under one roof. Those who attended were also lucky enough to have the opportunity to purchase the highly anticipated 2011 issue of SUHAAG Weddings, Fashion and Lifestyle magazine. The Suhaag team also released the 2011 Wedding Portfolio that will assist would-be-couples to plan the perfect wedding; another first of its kind in Canada.

BASANT PANCHAMI: Indian children dress up for a celebration on the eve of ëBasant Panchamií, the Festival of Spring, at K for Kids Pre-School in Ahmedabad on February 7. ëYellowí colour dominates the festival

he golden city of Jaisalmer, which lies courageously as the western sentinel of India, is a place worth visiting. The golden ray of the setting sun draws a heavenly picture on the sands of Jaisalmer. The magnificent woodand stone-carved mansions and buildings display the love of the Rajputs towards the fine arts. Jaisalmer is situated in the westernmost part of the state of Rajasthan, the heart of the great Thar Desert. It has neighboring Pakistan on its western side. On its south, there is the beautiful city of Bikaner. The eastern part of the place is bordered by Jodhpur, another city of color and tradition. The climate of this city is of typical desert character. Population of this city is quite low compared to the other parts of the state.

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February 18, 2011

The golden ray of the setting sun draws a heavenly picture on the sands of Jaisalmer. The magnificent wood-and stonecarved mansions and buildings display the love of the Rajputs towards the fine arts

The best time to visit is the winter season (November to February) when the heat becomes comparatively low. The desert festival held during the last winter months of January and February is the most opportune time to visit Jaisalmer. The city Jaisalmer was founded by Bhatti Rajput Rawal Jaisal in 1156. The history of Jaisalmer also reveals the courage and determination of the Rajputs. The city used to be a major trade center as it was the trade route of the western countries to India. Tourist Attractions: Visiting Jaisalmer itself means a visit to the Jaisalmer Fort. Built over the Trikuta hill, this fort is the biggest and the most beautiful landmark of the city. The fort is occupied by shops, stalls, and a number of other business concerns. This fort accommodates quarter of the city's population.

Just outside the fort is the Manakchowk, the famous marketplace of Jaisalmer. It is a good place for bargaining for local products. The Jain temple, a place worth visiting, is also situated inside the fort itself. The temple, made between 12th and 15th century, bears testimony to Rajasthan's unique artistry. Havelis are the mansions built by the wealthy merchants which are still in very good condition. The intricate craftsmanship is beyond paral-

lel. The havelis like the Patwon-ki-Haveli and Salim-Singh-kiHaveli are remarkable for their exclusive cutwork, yellow and red stone treatment and the bracket-shaped decoration of peacocks. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 30

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February 18, 2011

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Amgen tour of California announces Lake Tahoe routes India Post News Service

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev: The 2011 Amgen Tour of California (http:// www.TahoeAmgenTourofCalifornia.com), the largest cycling event in North America, has announced the Stage 1 and Stage 2 race routes for Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe's first-ever involvement in the race as the official Overall Start is Sunday, May 15 and begins at South Lake Tahoe at 6,300 feet, the highest start elevation in the six-year history of the competition. Stage 1 wraps up in North Lake Tahoe at Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort, with the Stage 2 Start taking place nearby at Squaw Valley USA on Monday, May 16. Cyclists will begin at MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa on the California/Nevada border in South Lake Tahoe. The peloton will loop past Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course around Heavenly Village, past the starting line again and onto Lake Tahoe Boulevard (Highway 50) through the casino corridor then clockwise around the 72-mile perimeter of Lake Tahoe. Riders will gain 700 feet in elevation as they wind up switchbacks on the West Shore. Upon reaching the top of scenic Emerald Bay, one of the most photographed places in the world and the first of three King of the Mountain finishes, they will descend 500 feet while exceeding speeds of 40 miles per hour until the flats of Homewood, home to Lake Tahoe's oldest marina. Athletes will cruise along the historic West Shore, making their way to North Lake Tahoe and the heart of downtown Tahoe City and then onto Kings Beach. Cyclists will leave the California side of the lake and enter Nevada, the first out-ofstate course for the Tour, and pass through Incline Village. The group will skirt by spectacular Sand Harbor State Park and the legendary Thunderbird Lodge along the East Shore at lake level before a long and steady 1,000-foot ascent to Spooner Summit at an elevation of 7,150 feet. Speeds here will increase to 45 miles per hour as they descend back toward the lake and through the tunnel at Cave Rock. Racers will then pass Zephyr Cove Resort, returning to Stateline, Nevada, the scene of

the overall start. After crossing the state line and back into California at South Shore, the peloton returns to Emerald Bay with its remarkable views and the second King of the Mountain finish. Here some riders may gain separation from the pack before their second descent onto the West Shore. After passing Tahoe City for a second time, there's a short ascent to Dollar Point before turning left up Brockway Summit (Highway 267) at North Lake Tahoe to 7,000 feet and one last chance for the climbers to dictate the race outcome with the third and final King of the Mountain finish. After cresting the summit, the lead group plunges down a rapid descent into a hard left turn onto Northstar Drive, where both sprinters

feet. North Lake Tahoe is hosting the Stage 2 Start of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California at Squaw Valley USA, home of the 1960 Winter Olympics, the following morning, Monday, May 16. The action starts directly under the historic Olympic rings at the center of the Village at Squaw Valley with riders peddling the cobbled corridors before turning onto Squaw Valley Road and then descending to the Olympic Flame entrance and a left-hand turn onto Highway 89. The peloton will follow the picturesque Truckee River corridor as they make their way on Highway 89 toward Truckee and through the two roundabouts near the Interstate 80 overpass. Riders will then turn left onto historic Donner Pass Road before

Cyclists will leave the California side of the lake and enter Nevada, the first out-ofstate course for the Tour, and pass through Incline Village and climbers will set-up for a high-speed blast to the finish line at Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort. The spectator-packed finish line is also home to the Amgen Tour of California Lifestyle Festival, which features a health and fitness expo, cancer awareness education, cycling gear, family activities, bike safety, food and entertainment. Northstarat-Tahoe Resort will also host a Break Away from Cancer Walk on Sunday, May 15. Upon completing Stage 1, competitors will have ridden a lap-and-a-half around Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in the country, conquering 119 miles and three mountains passes in approximately five hours and a total elevation gain of 5,500

riding the ramp over Interstate 80 and past Donner Memorial State Park, home to the infamous Donner Party. The pack will continue along the northern shoreline of Donner Lake as they make their approach to the steeps of Old Highway 40 on their way to Donner Summit and the day's first King of the Mountain finish. With some of the best views of the approaching riders and Donner Lake far below, this spot is sure to jammed-packed with enthusiastic spectators. From there, athletes speed pass Sugar Bowl Ski Resort, Donner Ranch Ski Resort and Soda Springs Ski Resort and descend into California's Gold Country via Highway 20 and the finish line for Stage 2 at the Sac-

ramento State Capitol. "Lake Tahoe is pulling out all the stops to provide cyclists and spectators with an unforgettable experience," said Tourism Director Andy Chapman of the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association. "This is our golden opportunity to make our mark on the cycling community, and businesses and organizations are eager to welcome the thousands of visitors who will be traveling to the lake, many for the first-time ever." "Hosting the overall start in South Shore will not only provide economic impact this year and beyond, but it will also further brand Lake Tahoe as a 'must ride' biking destination," said Carol Chaplin, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. Beginning with the inaugural race in 2006, the Amgen Tour of California quickly became the most successful race in the United States with economic benefits to the state, global recognition and the level of competition. The race also set records in attendance for a single sporting event in California, as well as any cycling event ever held on U.S. soil, with more than 2 million spectators in previous years. The North Lake Tahoe Resort Association and the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority are spearheading promotional and sponsorship efforts for the Lake Tahoe Stage 1 Start, Stage 1 Finish and Stage 2 Start, and serve on the Amgen Tour of California Lake Tahoe Local Organizing Committee. Stage 1 of the race is presented by Michelob Ultra, and Stage 2 is presented by the California Travel & Tourism Commission (CTTC). In previous years, the race has drawn some of the world's most recognizable and respected riders, such as top Tour de France competitors, world champions and Olympic medalists including Lance Armstrong, Tom Boonen, Oscar Freire, Paolo Bettini, Fabian Cancellara, Carlos Sastre, Ivan Basso, George Hincapie, Mark Cavendish and Andy Schleck. The 2011 Amgen Tour of California will cover 800 miles and visit 15 Host Cities for official stage starts and finishes, while other cities along the route also will have the opportunity to witness the excitement of elite professional cycling.

Jaisalmer: The western sentinel of India Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 29

Gadsisar Sagar Tank is a famous place for an outing. Earlier it used to be the source of water for the entire city. A number of migratory birds flock this place during the winter season. Desert Culture Center and Museum is another place that would give the visitor a clear insight of the place. The museum has a number of old coins, different

kinds of textile, traditional Rajasthani instruments, and some fossils that were found in the desert. Baba Bagh is an oasis at the bank of a man-made dam. It has greenery all around to give a much-needed relief to the local people. The Jain temple of Lodhruva, which reminds of the glory of the former capital city Lodhruva, is a place worth visiting.

Sam Sand Dunes, situated at the edge of the Thar Desert, is a place gaining tremendous tourist attraction these days. This sandy place is famous for watching sunset and taking a camel ride. Khuri, another place in this glittering golden sand, impresses the tourists with its mud houses and straw roofs. Desert National Park is another place that preserves the natural ecosystem of the desert land.

Cactus, thorny trees and shrubs could be seen growing easily without being taken care of. It has some vegetation that survives in the dry and arid soil. It also has some animal species like the monitor lizard, desert foxes, porcupines and black bucks, etc. Fairs & Festivals: The most famous of the local festivals is the camel fair that is held during the winter season. Camel dances, camel races, folk dance, and music

are some of the major attractions of this place. It is also known as the desert festival. How to Reach: Jaisalmer is well connected to nearby towns and cities. The nearest city is Jodhpur. To visit this place by air, one has to take the flight operated by Indian Airlines between Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. There is a meter-gauge train that connects this place with the rest of the small and big places.

Travel & Hospitality Post

February 18, 2011

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Palestinians want Bethlehem on UN heritage list BETHLEHEM: The Palestinians made a formal bid to have the nolonger-so-little town of Bethlehem, birthplace of Jesus Christ, added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage sites. "We are very proud to announce that we have submitted the nomination file of Bethlehem: birthplace of Jesus -- Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route ... to the World Heritage Centre," tourism minister Khulud Daibes told reporters. The addition of the West Bank town to the UNESCO list should have been almost automatic and accomplished a long time ago, but like most issues in the Holy Land, it has become entangled in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. And the Palestinians are hoping that getting the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Or-

A clergy member outside the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank town of Bethlehem

build the institutions of the state of Palestine," Daibes said. In the absence of constructive peace talks with Israel, Palestinian

"Where Jesus Christ was born is one of the most important cultural places in the world. It is from here that the message of peace and light was brought to the world by the Prince of Peace," said Bethlehem mayor Victor Batarseh ganization to recognize Bethlehem as a part of Palestinian cultural heritage will give impetus to their struggle to establish a state. "This timing is crucial for us, it is part and parcel of our plan to end the (Israeli) occupation and

Prime Minister Salam Fayyad has been leading an effort to build institutions for a de-facto state. They feel they have a strong case for Bethlehem's recognition when the UN committee meets to decide on the nominations in July

2012. "Where Jesus Christ was born is one of the most important cultural places in the world. It is from here that the message of peace and light was brought to the world by the Prince of Peace," said Bethlehem mayor Victor Batarseh. And UNESCO officials agree. "Who can question that the Nativity Church is a world heritage site?" said Louise Haxthausen, head of UNESCO's Ramallah office, who has worked with the Palestinian tourism ministry in preparing the bid. But in the end, UNESCO may not even be able to consider the bid for the same reason that it has not been added to the list to date: Palestine is not yet a recognized state. -AFP

Minister's intervention saves tigress in Ranthambore

TIMELY HELP: The tigress of the Ranthambhore National Park, which was saved by Rajasthan Tourism Minister Bina Kak.

JAIPUR: A tigress having infection in anus and maggots was operated on successfully after timely action of Rajasthan Tourism Minister Bina Kak. Kak had noticed a swelling on the tigress T-5 in Ranthambhore National Park in Sawaimadhopur district during her recent visit. She clicked its pictures and showed to the park authorities, following which the tigress was operated upon, according to an official today. Deputy Conservator of Forest, Ranthambore National Park, R.P. Gupta, said the tigress has been saved from a major medical hazard and is now doing well. He said the staff tracked the tigress regularly but might have somehow missed to see the swelling on its body. -PTI

India Post

More than 33,000 Russian tourists still in Egypt MOSCOW: More than 33,000 Russian tourists are still staying in Egypt in spite of mass riots in that country, Oleg Mosseyev, the spokesman for the Russian Federal Agency for Tourism. "According to the data we've just received from the Russian Federal Service for Civil Aviation, released at 17:30 hours Moscow Standard Time yesterday, only fifteen passengers arrived in Egypt by all the chartered flights from

Russia, aboard all the jets," Mosseyev said. "About 2,000 people took return flights to Russia," he told the Rossiya 24 channel. "That's why we can make a conclusion that about 33,000 Russians are still staying at Egyptian resorts in spite of the disorders that have swept the country," Mosseyev said. Egypt is one of the most popular winter destinations for Russian tourists. (Itar-Tass) -PTI

Foreign tourist arrivals up 10 % NEW DELHI: In a good start to 2011, January has registered about 10 per cent growth in foreign tourist arrivals with more than five lakh foreign tourists visiting the country. There were 5,38,482 foreigners who visited India in January as against 4,90,868 visitors in January last year, thus registering a growth of 9.7 per cent in foreign tourist arrivals. According to the Tourism Ministry data, there is also an increase in the foreign exchange earnings from tourism. Forex earned from tourism in

January was Rs 5,777 crore as against Rs 5,593 crore for the same period last year, an increase of 3.3 per cent. Incredible India campaign has been launched in overseas market targeting foreign tourists. There were road shows in many countries showcasing Indian destinations. Besides participating in international tour and travel fairs, we are also planning road shows in other countries to promote our destinations, said a senior Tourism Ministry official.-PTI

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In Brief Ariz. police find suspected illegal immigrants PHOENIX: More than a dozen people have been turned over to federal immigration authorities after an Arizona Department of Public Safety officer stopped two pickup trucks on Interstate 10 near Phoenix. Authorities say the suspected illegal immigrants had been in the desert for about three days and were dehydrated. The freeway service patrol responded with water and other supplies. Immigration and Customs Enforcement took custody of the 18 people, and agents were interviewing the drivers. Authorities say one of the pickups carried 12 people, including 10 men, a woman and a 9-yearold girl. -AP

Man connected to slain family on immigration hold MINOT, N.D.: A man with a connection to the family found slain in Minot is being held by immigration officials. Ward County corrections officer Kevin Larson told the Minot Daily News that Omar Mohamed Kalmio was at the Ward County Jail. Larson says he was then picked up by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, who have him ``on a hold for immigration.'' Officials say Kalmio is father to the infant found alive in the Minot home of 19-year-old Sabrina Zephier, who was found dead. Sabrina Zephier's mother, Jolene Zephier; 13-year-old brother, Dillon, and Jolene Zephier's 22year-old boyfriend, Jeremy Longie, were found slain in a mobile home less than an hour later. -AP

Immigrant claims $1M prize in Iowa lottery game DES MOINES, Iowa: An immigrant who was born in a refugee camp in Thailand has claimed a $1 million dollar prize in an Iowa Lottery instant-scratch game. The Des Moines Register says Aenoi Phetxoumphone of Webster City claimed the prize. He told reporters at a news conference that he cried when he realized he had won the top prize in the ``Lifetime Riches'' game, which offers $40,000 a year for 25 years. Phetxoumphone was born to parents who escaped war in Laos. The family initially came to California and he arrived in Iowa 13 years ago. He and his wife have four children. -AP

Immigration 34

India Post

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February 18, 2011

Sudden influx of illegal Indians baffles border authorities India Post News Service

vious waves of immigrants from farflung places, such as China and Brazil, who have illegally crossed the US border in Texas. But the suddenness and still-undetermined cause of the Indian migration baffles many border authorities and judges, the report says. The trend has caught the attention of anti-terrorism officials because of the pipeline's efficiency in delivering to America's door-

arrested in southern Texas in the last three months of 2010 alone. Indians are now the largest group of immigrants other than Latin Americans being caught at the Southwest border. The migration is the "most significant" human-smuggling trend being tracked by US authorities, said Kumar Kibble, deputy director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the report

Some authorities think the immigrants are simply seeking economic opportunities and are willing to pay $12,000 to $20,000 to groups that smuggle them to staging grounds in northern Mexico step large numbers of people from a troubled region. Authorities interview the immigrants, most of whom arrive with no documents, to ensure that people from neighboring Pakistan or Middle Eastern countries are not slipping through. However, there was no evidence the terrorists are using the smuggling pipeline, the report said citing FBI and Department of Homeland Security officials. The influx shows signs of accelerating: About 650 Indians were

quoted. In 2009, the Border Patrol arrested only 99 Indians along the entire Southwest border. "It's a dramatic increase," Kibble told CIR. "We do want to monitor these pipelines and shut them down because it is a vulnerability. They could either knowingly or unknowingly smuggle people into the US that pose a national security threat." Most of the immigrants say they are from the Punjab or Gujarat states. They are largely Sikhs who

H-1B cap reached for FY 2011 CYRUS D. MEHTA

.S. Citizenship and Im migration Services (USCIS) announced on January 26, 2011, that it has received a sufficient number of H1B petitions to reach the statutory cap for fiscal year (FY) 2011. USCIS noted that January 26, 2011, is the "final receipt date" for new H-1B specialty occupation petitions requesting an employment start date in FY 2011. The final receipt date is the date on which USCIS determines that it has received enough cap-subject petitions to reach the limit of 65,000. Properly filed cases will be considered received on the date that USCIS physically receives the petition, not the date that the petition was postmarked.

USCIS said it will reject cap-subject petitions for new H-1B specialty occupation workers seeking an employment start date in FY 2011 that arrive after the final receipt date. USCIS will apply a computergenerated random selection process to all petitions that are subject to the cap and were received on January 26, 2011. USCIS will reject all remaining cap-subject petitions not randomly selected and will return the accompanying fee. USCIS noted that it will continue to accept and process petitions that are otherwise exempt from the cap. Petitions filed on behalf of current H-1B workers who have been counted previously against the cap will not be counted toward the FY 2011 H-1B

cap. Accordingly, USCIS will continue to accept and process petitions filed to: • extend the amount of time a current H-1B worker may remain in the U.S.; • change the terms of employment for current H-1B workers; • allow current H-1B workers to change employers; and • allow current H-1B workers to work concurrently in a second H-1B position. U.S. businesses use the H-1B program to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields such as scientists, engineers, or computer programmers. Cont’d on page 37

say they face religious persecution, or members of the Bharatiya Janata Party who say they are targeted for beatings by members of the National Congress Party. But analysts and human rights monitors say political conditions in India don't explain the migration. There is no evidence of the kind of persecution that would prompt a mass exodus, they say, and Sikhs haven't been targets since the 1980s. The Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh is a Sikh, the CIR report points out. Some authorities think the immigrants are simply seeking economic opportunities and are willing to pay $12,000 to $20,000 to groups that smuggle them to staging grounds in northern Mexico. Kibble told CIR smugglers may have shifted to the Southwest after ICE dismantled visa fraud rings that brought Indians to the Northeast. Many Indians begin their journey by flying from Mumbai to Dubai, then to South American countries such as Ecuador or Venezuela, according to authorities and immigration attorneys. Guatemala has emerged as the key transit hub into Mexico, they said. The roundabout journeys are necessary because Mexico requires visas for Indians. They sneak across the dangerous Guatemala-Mexico border and take buses or private vehicles to the closest US-Mexico border. Mexican organized crime groups are suspected of being involved either in running the operations or in charging groups tolls to pass through their territory. The Indians usually wade across the Rio Grande, and then are shuttled from stash houses to transportation rings that take them north. Those caught and detained eventually claim asylum. In January, immigration court calendars at the area's two main detention facilities were full of the common Indian surnames Patel and Singh, and attorneys and judges struggled to keep up. Some attorneys had failed to file the necessary forms; interpreters were not always available, the CIR's reporter said. Judge Keith Hunsucker said more immigration judges would soon be assigned to handle the increased workload.

Immigration Post

February 18, 2011

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Washington 'notarios bill' combats immigration fraud OLYMPIA: In 2003, 150 immigrants were deported after following poor legal advice from a Wenatchee woman who advertised herself as a lawyer. In 2009, the state attorney general's office issued 11 civil investigative demands to people suspected of unlawfully providing immigration legal services. In 2010, three immigration assistants agreed to pay thousands of dollars in damages sustained by consumers who followed their bad advice. This year, lawmakers have introduced legislation that would protect immigrants from falling victim to similar crimes. High demand for affordable legal immigration advice, coupled with a lack of disciplinary oversight, have allowed for the proliferation of unauthorized legal services for immigrants sometimes resulting in deportation for those seeking a legal path to residency, according to Attorney General Rob McKenna. McKenna is working with lawmakers to target loopholes in current law that allow these legally questionable services performed by some immigration assistants known as ``notarios'' in Spanish to exist. It's an issue that may fly under the radar outside the Latino immigrant community, but it's one that's known to anyone trying to navigate the cumbersome laws of the immigration system. ''A lot of people who apply for immigration benefits with an attorney have a lawful claim,'' said Assistant Attorney General Pedro Bernal ``However, if you don't follow the correct steps, or provide the correct information, you can be deported.'' Opponents of the bills argue that the measure will limit the availability of affordable legal counsel for immigrants seeking citizenship benefits. Current law allows ``immigration assistants'' to translate immigration forms for immigrants qualified for citizenship. But McKenna says ill-intentioned immigration assistants take advantage of a translation quirk that confuses ``notarios'' a Spanish word that translates to ``lawyers'' with ``notary publics'' who are only authorized to verify signatures. Often, immigration assistants give misguided advice that wind up getting their clients deported. ''They're practicing law without a license. It's a crime; not only a civil violation, but a crime,'' Bernal said. ``There is a need in the community for it, but they are not qualified to provide it.'' To protect consumers from

notario fraud, the measure would eliminate the term ``immigration assistant'' from the existing Immigration Assistant Practices Act and further clarify the scope of ``unauthorized practice of law'' to come in line with federal statutes. It also requires anyone giving immigration advice to be a licensed attorney in the state of Washington, or to comply with federal requirements for providing legal services a law student working under a licensed attorney's supervision, for example.

In 2010, three immigration assistants agreed to pay thousands of dollars in damages sustained by consumers who followed their bad advice The bill establishes harsher penalties on violators: Parties injured by violations could bring a civil action to recover either $1,000 or the actual damages caused by the violation, whichever is greater. Rep. Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney, D-Seattle, sponsored the House bill in hopes that it would keep people from paying large fees for immigration services that are never provided or incorrectly carried out. ''(Notarios) are not attorneys,'' she said. ``The immigration assistant's failure to select the right forms. really ruins the client's chances of obtaining anything.''

Parties injured by violations could bring a civil action to recover either $1,000 or the actual damages caused The attorney general's office requested the bill following several cases in which immigrants were deported like the instance in 2003 after paying and relying on a notario to submit the proper paperwork. But immigration assistant Raymundo Olivas says the state should educate the public rather than just outlaw immigration assistants completely. ''Instead of eliminating (the immigration assistant position) com-

pletely, to make assistance so that. the client can go to someplace economically accessible instead of having no choice but going to an attorney,'' said Raymundo Olivas, founder of MultiServicios in Seattle. His company provides basic immigration assistant services and refers clients to immigration attorneys. While Olivas acknowledged the unfairness of notarios taking advantage of immigrants, he considers lawyers' steep fees to be unjust, as well. ''It's like having only doctors _ it's like having no nurses at all,'' he said. ``There are a lot of competent individuals. that do not abuse the system, that work with the system.'' Bernal, who helped write the proposal, said a common misperception is that the bill was introduced to help illegal immigrants. ''It's there to help the people who are here legally, who may qualify for a benefit people who have a legitimate claim and are merely trying to execute it,'' Bernal explained. ``However, if you don't follow the correct steps, or provide the correct information, you can be deported.'' Fifteen other states already have anti-notarios laws on the books, and six states are currently working on similar legislation, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Jorge Baron, executive director of the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, worked closely with the Attorney General's office to craft the bill. Members of his office are currently trying to amend the bill's language to more clearly include paralegals or people working under licensed attorneys among those qualified to give immigration advice. The cost of legal representation is an unfortunate but unavoidable reality, Baron said, due to the lack of practitioners in the area. ''The challenge is that it is a very complicated area of law, so it does require a lot of training and time, and that translates into the fact that the services are expensive,'' he said. As an organization that offers legal aid to those who can't afford private representation, Baron said, the NWIRP is entirely supportive of more licensed attorneys providing pro bono assistance and working in legal clinics. ''There certainly is a justice gap and we acknowledge that,'' he said. Kenney's notario bill is House Bill 1146; the Senate equivalent, introduced by Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, is Senate Bill 1053. -AP

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Lawmakers consider immigration, licenses issue OLYMPIA, Wash.: Lawmakers in Washington state, one of two states in the country that still let illegal immigrants obtain driver's licenses, are moving forward with bills that would ask for proof of legal residency. About half a dozen bills have been introduced in the current session to attempt changes to driver's license requirements. Lawmakers held a hearing on one of the bills, the first time that has happened in years. The unprecedented traction has sparked an immigration debate in Olympia hitting a high point when a committee hearing was adjourned early after protesters began yelling that ``brown'' people were being targeted. Supporters of the stricter immigration rules applauded the lawmakers' efforts, saying that closing access to licenses would stop a magnet for illegal immigrants to

move to Washington. Others say Washington's rules allow for identity fraud and other public safety concerns. ``Not all illegals come here just to work and look for a better life. Some come here to destroy us and our way of life. Driver's licenses give legitimacy,'' said Bob West, a man from Yakima, Wash., who testified at the Senate Transportation Committee. Immigrant advocates, meanwhile, say that cutting access to driver's licenses will raise insurance costs because illegal immigrants will be unable to obtain insurance, creating a larger pool of uninsured drivers. They also said that the estimated cost of the bill about $1.5 million in the next two-year budget is too expensive in a year that the state faces a deficit. ``This bill causes terror and a climate of fear in our immigrant

Immigrant rights supporters rally at Capitol SANTA FE, N.M.: Immigrant rights supporters rallied at the Capitol against what they view as anti-immigrant policies of Republican Gov. Susana Martinez, including a directive that state law enforcement check the immigration status of criminal suspects. Waving placards and at one point chanting, ``We are New Mexico,'' protesters gathered outside of the Capitol just below the fourth floor offices of the governor.

Martinez's executive order applies only to state agency law enforcement, such as state police, game wardens and state parks officers “We have to say this is wrong. This is New Mexico,'' said Sen. Eric Griego of Albuquerque, one of several Democratic lawmakers who spoke against the governor's executive order requiring state law enforcement to ask about the immigration status of those arrested for crimes. ``Anybody should not be suspected because of the way they look or because of their accent or because their last name is Martinez or Sanchez,'' said Griego. Protesters also objected to the governor's push to repeal a state law allowing driver's licenses for

illegal immigrants. State police estimated about 300 people participated in the rally. ``We don't want another Arizona,'' said Sen. Richard Martinez, D-Espanola, referring to an Arizona immigration enforcement law. A federal judge has blocked parts of the Arizona law from taking effect, including a provision requiring police to check someone's immigration status while enforcing other laws if there's a reasonable suspicion the person is in the United States illegally. Martinez's executive order applies only to state agency law enforcement, such as state police, game wardens and state parks officers. Griego and other Democratic lawmakers introduced legislation to overturn the governor's executive order by prohibiting police from asking about the immigration status of any person or enforcing federal immigration laws. Administration officials have said state law enforcement will conduct immigration checks of those arrested for crimes, but that won't happen routinely when state police stop someone for a traffic violation. The executive order prohibits police from asking the immigration status of crime victims, witnesses or those seeking assistance from law enforcement. The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials has asked Martinez to withdraw her executive order, calling it a ``backdoor attempt at having state law enforcement officials act as federal immigration authorities.'' -AP

members across the state. These are hardworking, tax paying Washington residents who are working the fields every day to support one of our largest industries in the state and many other

‘In order to work in this country you have to have a Social Security number, and we're just asking for the Social Security number’ industries our state desperately needs,'' said Pramila Jayapal, executive director of OneAmerica. ``This bill, we think, represents a misguided attempt to address issues related to our broken immi-

gration system.'' Jayapal said lawmakers should focus on keeping roads safe. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, DCamano Island. It would require people applying for a driver's license to show proof of Washington residency and a valid Social Security number. If the person does not have a Social Security number, proof of legal residency is required. Under the proposal, the Department of Licensing also is required to verify that a person's address and Social Security numbers are valid. ``In order to work in this country you have to have a Social Security number, and we're just asking for the Social Security number,'' Haugen said at the hearing. ``I would hope people aren't working without Social Security numbers. Because if you are, you're part of the underground network,

which really creates a lot of problem for a lot of workers.'' Another bill introduced this year establishes a two-tier system in which illegal immigrants would be able to get a driver's license but couldn't use it as identification. A similar system has been put in place in Utah. New Mexico is the only other state in the country where driver's licenses are available to illegal immigrants. The Associated Press reported last summer that three states Washington, New Mexico and Utah were seeing surges in the number of immigrants seeking IDs, a trend experts attributed to crackdowns on illegal immigration in Arizona and elsewhere. According to a 2010 Pew Hispanic Center study, estimates of the illegal immigrant population in Washington state range from 140,000 to 325,000. The state's population is 6.7 million residents. -AP

Critics seek repeal of Kan. immigrant tuition law TOPEKA, Kan.: Opponents of a law allowing some illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition at Kansas colleges and universities renewed their push to end the policy, encouraged by a political shift in the state House and support from a new secretary of state. But doubts remained about whether a bill repealing the state's 2004 immigrant tuition law can clear the Senate, and new Gov. Sam Brownback hasn't taken a position. The House Federal and State Affairs Committee began considering a repeal bill, hearing from Kansans who argue the state policy violates federal law, encourages illegal immigration and is unfair to out-of-state and foreign students at Kansas colleges and universities.

Witnesses included Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a Kansas City-area law professor on leave who once unsuccessfully challenged the state law in federal

‘It was a major issue in my campaign,’ Tyson said, adding that other GOP freshmen he's spoken with also are ‘on board’ court. He helped draft a law enacted in Arizona last year, empowering police to question anyone they suspect of being in the country illegally and has become a national figure for advising city offi-

Utah congressman urges path for legal immigration SALT LAKE CITY: A Utah congressman says U.S. border security is only one aspect of tackling illegal immigration. Republican U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz told Utah legislators at the state Capitol that focusing solely on border security enforcement won't solve the problem of illegal immigration. Chaffetz' views contrasted with those of U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch and U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop.

Both spoke to the Legislature in recent days about the importance of improving border security. Chaffetz says that until lawmakers fix legal immigration, reform visa requirements and create a pathway for people to become legitimate, illegal immigration will remain a dilemma. He clarified his idea of reform, saying it doesn't mean giving amnesty to documented workers. Chaffetz opposes amnesty. -AP

cials and legislators in other states wanting to crack down on illegal immigration. Kobach, a Republican, received 59 percent of the vote in last year's election. Also, Republicans increased their majority in the House, and many of the 33 new GOP members are sympathetic to the tea party movement. The freshmen include Rep. Caryn Tyson, of Parker, the leading sponsor of the bill to repeal the immigrant tuition law. ``It was a major issue in my campaign,'' Tyson said, adding that other GOP freshmen he's spoken with also are ``on board.'' Kansas is among 11 states that have approved an immigrant tuition law since 2001, though one, Oklahoma, has since narrowed its statute, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The Kansas law requires an immigrant to have attended a high school in the state for at least three years and to seek citizenship or legal status within the U.S. The state Board of Regents said 413 students enrolled under the law last fall to pay in-state tuition at state universities, community colleges or technical colleges. The difference in tuition is substantial. For example, at Kansas State University, an instate undergraduate taking 15 hours on its Manhattan campus pays $3,336 per semester, compared with $8,850 for an out-ofstate student. -AP

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Committee hears Neb. immigrant tuition measure LINCOLN, Neb.: A measure seeking to reverse a state law allowing some illegal immigrants to pay the in-state college tuition rate was heard by the Legislature's Education Committee. Fremont Sen. Charlie Janssen's bill (LB657), similar to one he introduced last year that failed to advance beyond committee, would repeal the nearly 5-year-old law that deals with students whose parents brought them to the U.S. illegally. To qualify for in-state college tuition, students must have graduated from Nebraska high schools, lived in the state at least three years and be pursuing or promise to pursue legal status. Janssen reiterated his belief that the state law conflicts with a 1996 federal law that prohibits higher education institutions from giving benefits to illegal immigrants without offering the same break to U.S. citizens. Janssen also pointed to last year's defeat in the U.S. Senate

of the so-called Dream Act. That legislation would have provided a route to legal status for illegal immigrants who were brought to the U.S. before age 16, have been here for five years, graduated high school or gained

position to the bill as the five who testified in favor of it. Among them was former state Sen. DiAnna Schimek of Lincoln, who was the main force behind the 2006 in-state tuition law. ``It's always been argued that

‘If they deserve anything, it's that they should be deported,’ Hart said of illegal immigrants who would seek in-state tuition. ‘What we're trying to do here is reward and give incentives for people to come here to this country illegally. To me, it's a slap in the face to everybody who's come here legally’ an equivalency degree, and who joined the military or attend college. ``I'm not an attorney, but the law of the land seems very clear to me,'' Janssen said in presenting his bill to the committee. But plenty of people showed up to disagree, with three times as many people testifying in op-

the state law conflicts with federal law,'' Schimek said. ``We presented good evidence on the floor of the Legislature in 2006 to show otherwise.'' She noted that tuition for outof-state students is nearly triple what it is for in-state students especially burdensome for undocumented students who can't

H-1B cap reached for FY 2011 Cont’d from page 34

The announcement is available at .uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/ menuitem.5af9bb95919f35 e66f614176543f6d1a/ ?vgnextoid=7fd9b9138c9cd 210VgnVCM100000082ca60 aRCRD&vgnextchan nel=b56db6f2cae63110VgnV CM1000004718190aRCRD. Visa numbers move slowly The Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for February 2011. Priority dates in several employment-based (EB) categories moved ahead, although not by much overall. For example, the third preference "Other Workers" worldwide category advanced from April 22, 2003, to May 1, 2003. The Mexico third preference category advanced from April 15, 2003, to July 8, 2003. Many categories remain Current. It had been initially reported that the India EB-2 category was Current, but the Visa Office corrected that erroneous information. The India second preference priority date remains at May 8, 2006. The February 2011 Visa Bulletin is available at http:// travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/ bulletin_5228.html. New passport forms The Department of State has announced that new passport forms will be available on March 1, 2011. The Department advises that applicants should continue to use the current forms to submit a passport application before that

date. Travel.State.Gov and all passport facilities will make the new forms available on March 1, 2011. The passport forms that are being updated as of March 1 are: • Form DS-11: Application for a U.S. Passport • Form DS-82: U.S. Passport Renewal Application for Eligible Individuals • Form DS-4085: Application for Additional Visa Pages or Miscel-

The Department of State has announced that new passport forms will be available on March 1, 2011 laneous Passport Services • Form DS-5504: Application for a U.S. Passport (Name Change, Data Correction, Limited Passport Replacement) • Form DS-3053: Statement of Consent or Special Circumstances: Issuance of a Passport to a Minor under Age 16 For more information, see http:/ /www.travel.state.gov/passport/ passport_1738.html. IRS publishes W-4 instructions for non-resident Aliens The Internal Revenue Service has revised "Supplemental Form W-4 Instructions for Nonresident Aliens." The IRS has modified the

instructions on the W-4 for nonresidents to reflect restrictions on their filing status, the limited number of exemptions allowed, and the standard deduction. Nonresident aliens must follow special instructions when completing Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate, available at http:/ /www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw4.pdf, for compensation paid to such individuals as employees performing dependent personal services in the U.S. Compensation for dependent personal services includes amounts paid as wages, salaries, fees, bonuses, commissions, compensatory scholarships, fellowship income, and similar designations for amounts paid to an employee. The revised Notice 1392 is available at http://www.irs.gov/ pub/irs-pdf/n1392.pdf. * Cyrus D Mehta, may be contacted at 212-425-0555 or info@cyrusmehta.com

get public tuition aid. ``We lose some of our best and brightest students because they cannot afford to go to college,'' Schimek said. Janssen's district includes Fremont, where voters in June approved an ordinance barring landlords from renting to illegal immigrants and businesses from hiring them. That law has yet to be enforced, as the city defends it against a lawsuit seeking to throw it out. Several of those testifying in favor of repealing the in-state tuition law are from Fremont, and two Jerry Hart and John Wiegert had a hand in getting the Fremont ordinance on the ballot. ``If they deserve anything, it's that they should be deported,'' Hart said of illegal immigrants who would seek in-state tuition. ``What we're trying to do here is reward and give incentives for people to come here to this country illegally. To me, it's a slap in the face to everybody who's come here legally.'' Shirley Mora James, an attorney for the Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund one of two groups challenging the Fremont ordinance presented the committee with a letter from U.S. Immigration and

Customs Enforcement agency indicating that Nebraska's instate tuition law is not a violation of federal immigration law. ``We don't hold the children of bank robbers responsible for their parents' crimes,'' Mora James said. ``Why should we hold these children ... and punish them for their parents' actions?'' Janssen said the state law is doing a disservice to illegal immigrants even those who came to the U.S. as young children because it leads them to believe they can continue to stay in the country illegally well into adulthood, which could further delay their dreams of becoming U.S. citizens. But Marshall Hill, director of the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education, said America needs an educated populace and cannot afford to waste the talents of people living here legally or otherwise. ``I suppose it boils down to simple human compassion,'' Hill said. ``I acknowledge the complexity of the issue. I don't think either side is wholly right or wholly wrong. But I believe you either get on the side of trying to make progress, or you don't.'' -AP

Health Line Los Alamos lab to certify flu monitoring system

LOS ALAMOS, N.M.: Los Alamos National Laboratory has signed an agreement with UCLA's School of Public Health, moving an automated system for monitoring potential pandemic strains of flu and other infectious diseases closer to reality. Los Alamos and UCLA researchers plan to test and certify the product, which will be built by Bostonbased HighRes Biosolutions. Lab officials say the compact modular laboratory can process thousands of specimens of infectious agents to help public health officials respond to a global health crisis. Health officials could compare samples from infected patients against reference samples to determine whether an infectious disease comes from a pandemic strain or one less virulent. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates the flu causes more than 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths each year. -AP

Nevada ranked last in nation in child health care LAS VEGAS: A new report by a private foundation is ranking Nevada dead last in the nation in health care for children. The Commonwealth Fund report dubbed a State Scorecard on Child Health System Performance ranks the Silver State behind every other state and the District of Columbia. Clark County Medical Society president Dr. Mitchell Forman tells the Las Vegas Review-Journal the report should serve as a wake-up call for the public and private sector to work together. The findings by the New York and Washington, D.C.-based organization are that fewer than half of Nevada children see a medical practitioner regularly. In New Hampshire, the percentage is better than two in three. Nevada State Health Officer Dr. Tracy Green says Nevada is unlike many states because it has a shortage of doctors. -AP

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February 18, 2011

Indian-led team develops therapy for geographic atrophy India Post News Service

LEXINGTON: A team of researchers at University of Kentucky led by an Indian ophthalmologist Dr. Jayakrishna Ambati, has discovered a molecular mechanism implicated in geographic atrophy, the major cause of untreatable blindness in the industrialized world. Their article, "DICER1 Deficit Induces Alu RNA Toxicity in AgeRelated Macular Degeneration," was published online by the journal Nature on Feb. 6 (DOI: 10.1038/ nature09830). Concurrent with this discovery, Ambati's laboratory developed two promising therapies for the prevention of the condition. This study also elaborates, for the first time, a disease-causing role for a large section of the human genome once regarded as non-coding "junk DNA." Geographic atrophy, a condition causing the death of cells in the retina, occurs in the later stages of the "dry type" of macular degeneration, a disease affecting some 10 million older Americans and causing blindness in over 1 million. There is currently no effective treatment for geographic atrophy, as its cause is

Dr J Ambati

Image of macular degeneration

Ambati's team developed two potential therapies aimed at preventing geographic atrophy and demonstrated the efficacy of both approaches using laboratory models unknown. Ambati's team discovered that an accumulation of a toxic type of RNA, called Alu RNA, causes retinal cells to die in patients with geographic atrophy. In a healthy eye, a "Dicer" enzyme degrades the Alu RNA particles. "We discovered that in patients with geographic atrophy, there is a dramatic reduction of the Dicer enzyme in the retina," said Ambati, professor and vice chair of the Department of Oph-

thalmology and Visual Sciences and the Dr. E. Vernon and Eloise C. Smith Endowed Chair in Macular Degeneration Research at the UK College of Medicine. "When the levels of Dicer decline, the control system is short-circuited and too much Alu RNA accumulates. This leads to death of the retina." Alu elements make up a surprisingly large portion - about 11 percent by weight - of the human genome, comprising more than 1 mil-

lion sequences. However, their function has been unknown, so they have been called "junk" DNA or part of the "dark" genome. The discovery of Alu's toxicity and its control by Dicer should prove of great interest to other researchers in the biological sciences, Ambati says. Ambati's team developed two potential therapies aimed at preventing geographic atrophy and demonstrated the efficacy of both approaches using laboratory models. The first involves increasing Dicer levels in the retina by "overexpressing" the enzyme. The second involves blocking Alu RNA using an "anti-sense" drug that binds and degrades this toxic substance. UK has filed patent applications for both technologies, and Ambati's group is preparing to start clinical trials by the end of this year. Response from the scientific community has been enthusiastic. "These findings provide important new clues on the biological basis of geographic atrophy and may provide avenues for intervention through preventing toxic accumulation of abnormal RNA products," said Dr. Paul Sieving, director of the National Eye Institute. Cont’d on page 40

India, South Asia facing health crisis WASHINGTON: India in particular and South Asian countries in general, are facing a "health crisis" with rising rates of heart disease, diabetes, obesity and other non communicable diseases (NCDs), the World Bank has said. In its report "Capitalizing on the Demographic Transition: Tackling Non communicable Diseases in South Asia," the World Bank rates heart diseases as the leading cause of death in adults aged 15-69, and South Asians suffer their first heart attack six years earlier than other groups worldwide. By 2030, cardiovascular diseases would emerge as the main cause of death (36 per cent) in

India. The number of people with hypertension rose from 118.2 million in 2000 to 213.5 million by 2025, it said. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) prevalence among

of solid fuels is the major cause for women. The international financial institution said over 70 per cent of cancer cases in India are diagnosed during the advanced stages of the disease, resulting in poor survival

The World Bank rates heart diseases as the leading cause of death in adults aged 15-69, and South Asians suffer their first heart attack six years earlier than other groups worldwide men is in a range of 29 per cent in North India and 14 per cent in south India. Among males, tobacco smoke is the major cause of COPD, while smoke from indoor combustion

and high case mortality rates. Tobacco use is the major cause of cancer for both lung and oral cavity diseases. According to the report, road traffic injuries and deaths are on

the increase along with the rapid economic growth. Annually, they result in more than 100,000 deaths, 2 million hospitalizations, and 7.7 million minor injuries. Non-fatal road traffic injuries are highest among pedestrians, motorized two-wheeled vehicle users, and cyclists. This is a major problem among young populations, with three-quarters occurring among 15-45 year olds, predominantly among men. "If the present pace of increase continues, in 2010 150,000 deaths and 2.8 million hospitalizations are likely and, in 2015, these numbers will rise to 185,000 and 3.6 million," the report said. -PTI

February18, 2011

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More candor urged in care of dying cancer patients WASHINGTON: Patients do not want to hear that they are dying and doctors do not want to tell them. But new guidance for U.S. cancer specialists says they should be upfront and do it far sooner. The American Society of Clinical Oncology says too often, patients are not told about options like comfort care or even that their chemotherapy has become futile until the bitter end. To help families broach the topic, too, the group developed an easyto-read booklet about those choices, from standard care to symptom relief, and advice about what to ask to maximize remaining time. ``This is not a 15-minute conversation, and it should not happen in the back of the ambulance on the way to the ICU at 3 in the morning,'' says ASCO chief executive Dr. Allen Lichter. ``When everyone is well and has their wits about them, it's time to start the process.'' The guidance and booklet available at http://www.cancer.net mark an unusually strong push for planning end-of-life care, in a profession that earns more from attacking tumors than from lengthy, emotional discussions about when it's time to stop.

``This is a clarion call for oncologists. to take the lead in curtailing the use of ineffective therapy and ensuring a focus on palliative care and relief of symptoms throughout the course of illness,'' the guidance stresses. But it's part of a slowly growing movement to deal with a subject so taboo that Congress' attempt to give such planning a nudge in 2009 degenerated into charges of ``death panels.'' Now consider a program in Pittsburgh named Closure. In socalled ``community conversations,'' the program teaches families how to talk with each other and their doctors about what they want and want to avoid in their final days. Created by the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, sessions have spread to hospitals, religious centers and neighborhoods around the city, and a website opened last month at http:// www.closure.org. The sessions are frank. Doctors tell of entering hospital rooms late at night asking for resuscitation preferences should a very ill patient worsen only to find relatives did not know their loved one was that sick. ``There is going to be, over the next few years, a groundswell of

people telling physicians, `I don't want to go out in excruciating pain, short of breath, alone, surrounded by lights and sirens and people pounding on my chest,''' predicts Dr. Jonathan Weinkle, a primary care physician who advises the program. ``Everybody wants a good death but not a moment too soon, but they do not have the language to ask for it.''

Ask your doctor about pros and cons of different treatment options, and discuss your priorities, including quality of life Closure participant Pearl Moore, a retired Pittsburgh oncology nurse, urges people to start planning before they're ever sick, when it's easier to discuss. Moore's mother died of stomach cancer without health workers or family ever discussing the inevitable. Haunted, she returned to college to specialize in cancer nursing. She helped her patients

discuss quality of life, ``to be able to live until they died, is the way I put it,'' Moore says. And years ago she prepared her own living will and other health care directives, giving copies to her daughter, Cheryl, as soon as she was grown. ``Remembering my mother, we had the discussion,'' says Moore. It's not clear how often the still healthy like Moore do that kind of advance planning. But the oncology society says it isn't happening enough with the very sick. Fewer than 40 percent of advanced cancer patients have what it calls a ``realistic conversation'' with their doctors about what to expect and their choices of care. The consequences: Patients increasingly are receiving aggressive chemotherapy in the last two weeks of life. They are spending more of their last months hospitalized. They're not told that a lot of expensive, side effect-prone therapies buy at best a few more months. They think palliative care specialized care for pain, nausea, shortness of breath means giving up when it should be offered with standard anti-tumor care. And they are not referred to hospice until their final days. Lichter tells of a lung cancer pa-

tient who spent his last days on a ventilator, unable to say goodbye and incurring $25,000 in hospital bills, because his family called 911 when he became short of breath. Hospice care could have eased that symptom at home. The society plans by summer to issue detailed guidelines to help doctors conduct those tough conversations. Meanwhile, among its advice for patients: Ask your doctor about pros and cons of different treatment options, and discuss your priorities, including quality of life, with the doctor and family. You can change your mind later. Ask about palliative care for symptom relief along with your chemo. A major study last summer found that combination helped advanced lung cancer patients live a few months longer, because people who feel better can tolerate more anti-cancer treatment. A living will ensures health workers and family know your choices when you cannot communicate, including whether you would want such things as a feeding tube. Most clinical trials for experimental treatments won't admit people who've already undergone multiple treatments, so consider that option early. -AP

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Senate Republicans forcing a vote on health law WASHINGTON: On a day rich in political theater, Senate Republicans pushed for repeal of the year-old health care law, certain of defeat yet eager to force rankand-file Democrats to take a stand on an issue steeped in controversy. The showdown approached as lawmakers in both parties agreed the law's fate rests with the Supreme Court, not Congress. Even so, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said the vote marked an opportunity for Democrats who voted for the bill last year ``to listen to those who have desperately been trying to get your attention.'' ``To say, yes, maybe my vote for this bill was a mistake, and that we can do better,'' McConnell said. Democrats worked to minimize any political repercussions, a concern for a party already acutely aware it must defend 22 seats and its shrunken Senate majority in the 2012 elections. Majority Leader Harry Reid, DNev., said the Republican repeal movement would ``take away a child's right to get health insurance and instead give insurance companies the right to use asthma or diabetes as an excuse to take away that care.'' ``It would kick kids off their parents' health insurance,'' Reid said. ``It would take away seniors' rights to a free wellness check.'' Democrats also countered with a proposed repeal of a relatively small part of the bill not directly connected to health care. It requires all businesses, charities, and state and local governments to file income tax forms every time they purchase $600 or more in goods, and has become a magnet for critics of the legislation. Obama has already said he is willing to strip the requirement from the law. Across the street from the Capitol, Democrats convened a Judiciary Committee hearing to solicit

testimony on the constitutionality of the law they passed and Obama signed months ago. ``Many who argue the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional are the same people who condemn judicial activism,'' said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who presided. ``They are pushing the Supreme Court to strike down this law be-

Democrats worked to minimize any political repercussions, a concern for a party already acutely aware it must defend 22 seats cause they could not defeat it in Congress.'' Republicans were scathing in response. ``The sensible process would have been to have held a hearing on the law's constitutionality before the bill passed, not after,'' said Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa. ``Like Alice in Wonderland, sentence first, verdict afterward.'' Two federal judges have ruled the law is unconstitutional, partially or in its entirety, citing a requirement for individuals to purchase coverage and pay a penalty in taxes if they fail to do so. Two other judges have upheld the law. The controversy has yet to reach the Supreme Court, but it is widely expected to, and Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., announced he would file legislation urging the justices to act quickly. The maneuvering occurred around a law as ambitious as any in recent years, and as controversial. According to the Congressional Budget Office, it would expand coverage to tens of millions who lack it, crack down on insurance industry abuses and cut federal budget deficits. At its core, the bill would require most Americans to purchase insurance, a socalled individual mandate that has become one of the principal points of opposition among Republicans and the tea party activists who

Indian-led team develops therapy for geographic atrophy Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 38

"Ambati's latest research provides important mechanistic insights in geographic atrophy, and identification of this novel pathway may result in new therapeutic targets for a major cause of blindness," said Dr. Napoleone Ferrara, a member of the National Academy of Sciences and LaskerDeBakey awardee who is a researcher at Genentech. This work has "widespread implications" for future study, said

propelled them to gains last fall. The bill's critics argue the law gave government too large a role in the health care system, will harm Medicare and raises taxes and fees that will burden the economy. They also sharply dispute the CBO estimate that deficits will fall once the bill takes effect, arguing that the forecasts rest on spend-

Dr. Stephen J. Ryan, president of the Doheny Eye Institute and member of the Institute of Medicine. "The authors have opened an important line of research with real possibilities for future therapeutic intervention for patients with geographic atrophy," Ryan said. Dr. Ambati is a Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Distinguished Clinical Scientist and Burroughs Wellcome Fund Translational Research Clinical Scientist.

ing cuts to Medicare and other programs that will not materialize. Either way, the day's events shaped up as the latest maneuvering in a struggle that has spanned more than two years. Republicans said a proposal by Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., to eliminate the reporting requirement to the Internal Revenue Service was legislative pilferage, not-

ing that Sen. Mike Johanns, RNeb., filed a bill to that effect last year. The measure calls for $44 billion in spending cuts to offset the revenue loss from the change, but unlike Johanns' earlier measure, Stabenow's specifies that none of the funds can come from Social Security. Under federal law, Social Security benefits are generally guaranteed. As a result, the provision Stabenow advanced assures merely that no administrative costs can be cut at the agency. No similar protection was included for the agency that oversees Medicare. The House approved legislation repealing the health care law last month on a party-line vote, ignoring a veto threat from Obama and Reid's blunt statement the bill would never see the light of day in the Senate. McConnell responded quickly that he would look for an opportunity to force a vote.

The law that passed a year ago had the support of 58 Democrats and two independents aligned with them. All 40 Republicans voted against it. Democratic ranks have been thinned since then, and their current majority is 53-47. Of those 53 seats, 23 are on the ballot in 2012, including several that Republicans are targeting. One on the list, Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska, said in advance he would oppose the Republican repeal proposal. ``There are a lot of good parts in the bill and some that I will work to improve,'' Nelson told reporters in his home state. ``The repealers already have health care. But they're ready, willing and eager to take it away from hundreds of thousands of Nebraskans.'' At the same time, Nelson has said he favors replacing the individual mandate and accompanying penalties if a viable alternative can be found. -AP

Rehberg bashes federal debt and health care plan HELENA, Mont.: Republican U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg blasted the policies of the Obama administration, speaking to the Montana Legislature two days after jumping into the Senate race and drawing rebukes from Democrats who said it was an inappropriate venue for what they described as a divisive, partisan speech. Rehberg, who announced that he's challenging U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a first-term Democrat, encouraged the GOP majority to keep pushing back against the federal health care law, illegal immigration and other issues. Rehberg said recent elections have shown states' rights are becoming more important and demonstrate that people ``rejected the insufferable arrogance that they saw coming out of Washington, D.C.'' ``My job as your congressman is to defend the states' rights principle in Washington,'' Rehberg said. ``That means focusing on the core responsibilities of the federal government. That means getting Washington off the backs of our people as well as legislators like you in state capitals across America.'' Republicans lawmakers stood several times to applaud; Democrats did not. Tester's office rebuked Rehberg for focusing on issues other than job creation. ``Jon's priority for Montana is creating and saving jobs,'' said spokesman Aaron Murphy. ``In 20 minutes of laying out his priorities

to the Legislature, Congressman Rehberg didn't focus on creating Montana jobs even once. That's a pretty clear contrast.'' State Sen. Carol Williams, DMissoula, said Rehberg's speech was full of ``inflammatory rhetoric'' that was fanning the flames of partisanship, while being ``tone deaf'' to job-creation and other issues the state Legislature has prioritized.

Rehberg also blasted a move by the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate greenhouse emissions when Congress didn't ``This is entirely the wrong message for the Legislature. We need to work together or we can't get out of here in 90 days,'' said Williams. ``This was stunningly partisan.'' Rehberg did not mention Tester, but did attack U.S. Sen. Max Baucus for his role in the federal health care reform overhaul. ``I understand he told this chamber a few weeks ago that 'Montanans, not Washington bureaucrats, know best how to manage wolves,''' Rehberg said of Baucus. ``But I wonder when he's

going to figure out that Montanans, not Washington bureaucrats, know best how to manage our own health care, too.'' Baucus says the popularity of the health care law will increase as people began to learn more about the details and see how it works when in effect. He argues the positive aspects of the law, such as a ban on insurance companies canceling coverage for pre-existing conditions, need to be kept and analysts show repeal will worsen the federal deficit. Rehberg blasted federal ``judicial activists'' he wished were endangered themselves for siding with environmentalists on issues like wolf management, while praising the federal courts that have sided with conservatives suing over the health care law as unconstitutional. Rehberg also blasted a move by the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate greenhouse emissions when Congress didn't, and the unpopular administrative move by federal land agencies to increase the protection status of some public land in the state. ``To borrow a phrase from Mr. Obama, 'Let me be clear,''' Rehberg said. ``No additional national monuments should be created in our state without input from the people of Montana and the approval of Congress.'' Tester will address the state lawmakers later this week. -AP

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Perdue addresses health care at annual NCSU forum RALEIGH, NC: North Carolina is already getting noticed for making the delivery of health care more efficient, but more innovation is needed so the state's aging population lives healthier and longer, Gov. Beverly Perdue said at a forum organized by political mentor Jim Hunt. Speaking on the first day of the annual Emerging Issues Forum at the Raleigh Convention Center, the Democratic governor said the state must be prepared as graying baby boomers age and outof-state residents move to North Carolina for retirement. Seventyone of North Carolina's 100 counties will have more people over 60 than those under 17 by 2030, compared to just 37 counties today, she said. "That is a huge, huge demographic and social shift for North Carolina," Perdue told a luncheon crowd. She said the debate on how best to provide health care, particularly treatment of chronic disease, won't go away. "It pushes our health care to the limits if you have hypertension, diabetes, strokes, heart disease - the top killers in North Carolina - you see them in the senior population." PepsiCo Chief Executive Officer Indra Nooyi, also spoke at the conference which drew nearly

1,000 people over its two days. The conference was organized by Hunt, the Democratic former fourterm governor, and North Carolina State University. Perdue talked about efforts to reduce the morbidity rate among older citizens for long-term chronic disease, saying she and state Health and Human Services Secretary Lanier Cansler can point

network that will encourage more collaboration among medical providers and seek to prevent patients from taking a regimen of prescription drugs that when taken together can cause illness or death. "People around the country are looking at us for our innovation

bill moving through the GOP-led Legislature that attempts to block a requirement in North Carolina that citizens buy health insurance or face a penalty. A Florida judge's ruling determining the overhaul was unconstitutional means the case likely

Nooyi said there's no one food we can eliminate to get rid of this issue. There's not a pill on the horizon to stop this problem of obesity out $1.5 billion in the state budget for such treatment. With a limited number of health dollars available, the state already has demonstrated its ability to help create better chronic disease outcomes through the Community Care program, an award-winning managed-care network for state Medicaid patients. Perdue said the state also has received $2 million from the federal government to carry out statewide an information technology

Governor of North Carolina Beverly Perdue

because we have figured out how to solve this problem," said Perdue, who was once in the geriatric services director at a hospital in her hometown in New Bern. On another health care development, the 2010 federal health care overhaul, Perdue told reporters after her speech she didn't know whether she would veto a

Colo. program gives free therapy for suicidal kids EAGLE COUNTY, Colo.: Fifteen percent of local high school students who took a survey in 2009 said they had seriously considered suicide. Yet for many local kids, therapy is out of reach. Local therapist Stacey Horn is on a mission to make sure kids who are thinking about suicide can afford to get help. She recently took over the local branch of the Second Wind Fund, a Denver-based program that provides free therapy sessions to children 19 and younger. ``I want to make sure every person who comes into contact with kids at high risk for suicide knows this resource is available,'' she said. The Second Wind Fund provides up to eight free therapy sessions for uninsured children or kids with inadequate insurance. Without special funding, professional counseling sessions can cost $100 each. Even insured kids might wind up paying $25 to $45 in copays for each visit, Horn said. ``Most families can't afford that,'' she said. The Second Wind Fund started in Denver in 2002 after four teens from Green Mountain High School committed suicide in a single year, Second Wind co-founder Jeff Lamontagne said. ``Almost every year, there's a school with

multiple suicides in metro Denver,'' he said. `Ìt's not talked about a lot but it happens.'' Here in the valley, suicide is more prevalent among adults than kids. Eagle County Coroner Kara Bettis said she sees no more than one or two child cases per year. Yet statistics alone fail to tell the whole story. Avon Police Lt. Greg Daly, a member of the local suicide prevention group, said many suicide attempts happen under the radar. ``There is a national statistic that says for every one reported suicide attempt, there are six that go unreported,'' he said. Horn hopes to break down the financial barriers between children and the help they need. She puts troubled kids in touch with the six therapists in the valley who have agreed to treat suicidal youths at a reduced rate through Second Wind. Most of the referrals to the program come from school counselors. Since Horn started the job in mid-December, she has helped two local teens get treatment. About five more kids received help through the program since it came to the valley about a year ago. Although the program is gaining steam, its future is uncertain. `Ì have a responsibility to do some fundraising,'' she said. `Òtherwise, the program will close in May.'' -AP

will end up at the U.S. Supreme Court. The federal courts, not a state, are the final arbiter, she said. No pill for obesity Nooyi focused later on promoting fit children and healthier foods from the stable of products at PepsiCo, the world's second largest food and beverage company, which is incorporated in North

Carolina. Pepsi was originally developed by a New Bern pharmacist in the 1890s. She called on business and government leaders and citizens to "stop the blame game" about the cause of obesity - some say food companies or video game manufacturers. "There's no one food we can eliminate to get rid of this issue. There's not a pill on the horizon to stop this problem of obesity," Nooyi said. "No government has the power to reverse the epidemic." Nooyi suggested the nation find one campaign to encourage fitness and obesity reduction that can be used by all states, work for a consistent food labeling standard, improve the federal school lunch program and make healthier foods. She said her company doesn't always put in bold letters on packaging that there's less salt or fat in a product because people may react negatively. "We have to sneak goodness into each product," she said to laughter. The forum, in its 26th year, is examining how health care innovations can help the economy while making healthier citizens. Hunt, an N.C. State alumnus who left office in 2001, founded the Institute for Emerging Issues, which puts on the forum. -AP

Sports Track Solid proof to ban Pak trio, says ICC DOHA: The International Cricket Council has asserted that the ban imposed on the tainted Pakistani trio in the spot-fixing scandal were based on solid proof and hoped it would act as deterrent for those who dare to tarnish the image of the game in future. Commending the decision to hand lengthy bans to Salman Butt, Mohd. Asif and Mohd. Aamir, ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat said that corruption in cricket will not be tolerated and the independent tribunal sent down a strong message through its decision in Doha. "I am satisfied that the proceedings are now over and we respect the findings of the independent tribunal. The members of this tribunal are extremely experienced and have considered the matter at great length after hearing detailed submissions from all parties," Lorgat said in a statement. "From the moment we became aware of the allegations of spot-fixing made by the 'News of the World' newspaper in August 2010, the ICC has left no stone unturned in pursuing this matter and we are therefore pleased with the outcome. "While I am deeply saddened that this case happened in the first place, I acknowledge and commend the decision to deliver lengthy bans to all three players. Corruption in our game will never be tolerated and, once again, I reiterate our zero-tolerance approach. I hope this investigation, and the verdicts delivered, makes that message crystal-clear," the ICC chief executive said. -PTI

SPORTS 42

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India Post

Delhi to host Corporate Games in November

This team is similar to '03; settled, fearless, says Ganguly

(L-R) Corporate Games CEO OP Bhatia, Zafar Iqbal, Gurcharan Singh, Dinesh Khanna and Sanjay Sharma

NANDINI RANA

KOLKATA: Former captain Sourav Ganguly sees a lot of similarity between India's 2003 and 2011 World Cup squad and said just like eight year ago, the present outfit is also fearless and has a strong batting line-up which makes them one of the title contenders. Ganguly feels with such a combination at its disposal, India has the potential to make it count in cricket's showpiece event, starting February 19 in Dhaka. "Like 2003, this time also we are in the right frame of mind, we have a settled side which has been doing well for sometime now. The team is equally good and strong and have the potential to go all the way," Ganguly told PTI in an interview here. "We have a very strong batting line-up with a lot of match-winners in the side. It's a very strong side," he said. The former left-hander, who came tantalisingly close to leading India to the World Cup title eight years ago in 2003, however refused to make any predictions for the upcoming mega-event. "Personally, I don't believe in terming any favourites. It's a tournament where last three games -- quarterfinal onwards -- will make a difference. Australia, India and South Africa look very strong," said Ganguly, under whose leadership India made the finals in the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, where they lost to Australia. -PTI

February 18, 2011

India Post News Service

NEW DELHI: Corporate Games are popular in the West. The concept was given shape in Canada in 1985 by Dr Maureen Johnston. The event is now being brought to Delhi with Corporate Games Delhi signing an agreement with the Global Corporate Games to conduct the event annually in India. Employees and employers from various companies from the north will be participating in the event starting November 17. The deal envisions the Games taking an all-India shape as Mumbai is scheduled to host the western phase while Bangalore will organize events in the south. Both the regions are scheduled to sign up in March with a World Body to host the Games. The four-day event from November 1720 at the Sirifort Sports Complex will invite competition in 12 disciplines including badminton, athletics, basketball, billiards, cricket, football, hockey, nine hole golf, squash, swimming, table tennis and tennis. CEO of Corporate Games Delhi and former Executive Director of Sports Authority of India, OP Bhatia told members of the media at a press conference that they expect about 4000 participants in the Northern region. "It is a great platform for the employees to come out and get a refreshing break.

There couldn't be anything better than sports. We have signed with the global body to hold the games in Delhi but we are in talks to hold games at Mumbai and Bangalore. The winners from all regions have a chance to be in a combined Indian team which will participate in the quadrennial World Corporate Games," Bhatia said.

The four-day event from November 17-20 at the Sirifort Sports Complex will invite competition in 12 disciplines including badminton, athletics, basketball, billiards, cricket, football, hockey, nine hole golf, squash, swimming, table tennis and tennis A special feature of the games is the concept of dual competition. Athletes compete both for points for their organization and medals for themselves. Winning organizations are determined by a games point system based on the first eight places in each event. The companies award is presented to the organization whose participants win the greatest number of medals.

Bhatia said, "The new rules will give the event a vivid color. It will enthuse lower ranked players and veterans to come forward and pit their talent against the best in the business. In a way it will also give them an opportunity to work on their fitness." The Delhi region has roped in former legends like Zafar Iqbal (hockey) and Dinesh Khanna (badminton) to help chalk out the program and devise plans for the November Games. Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata has shown keen interest in the project and has also sent a message for the games. With 12 disciplines lined up at the same complex, Bhatia said that it would be a great development for sports in the capital and that would come in handy in forming a 'sports cluster' at the same place. "I think it will be a great venture as it would add to the development. Sports in our country need centers which are laced with state of the art facilities," Bhatia said. Bhatia said that the essence of the games is to instill in people the spirit of sports as well as the corporate competition. He said it is the ultimate combination of sports, business and tourism in a multisport festival of corporate competitions. Open to all, for the benefit of all. He assured there will be great celebrations, parades and parties to create interaction among and within the teams and organizations.

Sports Post

February 18, 2011

India Post

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India aim to break home jinx in World Cup MUMBAI: Having faltered twice at the doorstep of the title contest previously when they hosted the World Cup, India would be eager to break the jinx this time around and regain cricket's most coveted trophy when they commence their campaign in the mega-event against co-hosts Bangladesh at Dhaka on February 19. In 1987, Kapil Dev failed to lead the country to their second successive crown as his team was swept off the perch by Mike Gatting-led England in the semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Mohd. Azharuddin also could not pilot his squad back on to the throne of One-day cricket nine years later when India co-hosted the World Cup along with Sri Lanka and Pakistan, as his team was knocked out by eventual champions Lanka in the semi-final at Kolkata's Eden Gardens. This time around Mahendra

Seeded second in the tournament and ranked number one in Group 'B', India's passage into the knock-out stage appears reasonably smooth if they play to their potential and are careful to avoid some pitfalls.

'The past is past. I am more optimistic than you,' Dhoni said here last week referring to the lung-opener against Bangladesh Indian cricketers pariticipate in a training session at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on February 10

Singh Dhoni and his men are aiming to disprove India's jinx as host nation of the World Cup, aiming to make it third time lucky in the tournament that the country is cohosting with Lanka and Bangladesh. The Dhoni-led team has the

iconic Sachin Tendulkar, who will be playing in his sixth World Cup that would place him at par with Pakistan great Javed Miandad, to look forward to -- besides a very talented and balanced team -- for ferrying back the World Cup to India after 28 years.

Kolkata hopeful of getting India-Ireland match

An aerial view of the Eden Gardens at its current state of completion

KOLKATA: The ICC might have ruled out the possibility of the Eden Gardens hosting an India match in the upcoming World Cup match but the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is still living on hope. After getting a favorable response from an ICC statement which said the stadium was on course for the three non-India matches scheduled in March, the CAB is making an appeal for getting the India vs Ireland match, scheduled to be held in Bangalore on March 6. The CAB's point of argument is Bangalore will be hosting two India matches. "We will appeal to the BCCI to give us at least the match against Ireland as Bangalore will be hosting two matches now. As per the BCCI guideline,

every venue in India should get an India match or one from the knock-out stage," CAB joint-secretary Biswarup Dey said.

The CAB president, Jagmohan Dalmiya, however said they were yet to get a final confirmation from the ICC "Since we are not hosting any match in the knock-out stage, we are making a request to give us the India-Ireland match. It's difficult to imagine Eden Gardens not hosting India in the World Cup. It's for everybody to see that our venue is

ready and the work is complete." A day after the ICC trio of Campbell Jamieson, Chris Tetley and Eugene van Vuuren inspected the venue the apex body issued a release which quoted CEO Haroon Lorgat saying that they were pleased with the progress work at the stadium. "We are pleased with the progress made since January 25 and if that pace of work is maintained, we believe that the stadium will be ready for the games scheduled in March." The CAB president, Jagmohan Dalmiya, however said they were yet to get a final confirmation from the ICC. "It's not clear from the media release. We have not been intimated about anything. We don't want to create any controversy now by making some comments," Dalmiya said. The ICC visited the Eden Gardens that looked better from the one during their last inspection on January 25. Not happy with the progress of renovation work at the Eden Gardens, ICC had ruled out the venue for the India vs England match scheduled for February 27, and the tie was shifted to Bangalore. The remaining three World Cup matches at the venue are: South Africa vs Ireland (March 15), Netherlands vs Ireland (March 18) and Zimbabwe vs Kenya (March 20). -PTI

India's opening tie against Bangladesh would itself be looked at with interest for it was the country's eastern neighbors who inflicted a shock defeat on Rahul Dravid's team four years ago in the West Indies, which eventually knocked them out of the World Cup in the first round.

"The past is past. I am more optimistic than you," Dhoni said here last week referring to the lung-opener against Bangladesh. India's next opponents eight days later would be South Africa, against whom they have had mixed results in the recent past. England and the West Indies loom as the major threats in the remaining matches but with the group also consisting of minnows Ireland (11th seed) and The Netherlands (13), Dhoni and his men would be fancying their chances of entering the last eight from where the do-or-die stage starts. Tendulkar, who has created a staggering array of records in ODIs too apart from Tests, is going to be the lynch pin of the team's strong batting line up. The batting maestro is already the highest run-getter in the tournament history (1796 in 36 matches) and has said often that it is his dream to be part of a World Cup-winning squad. -PTI

Unpredictable Pak aiming for a World Cup high MUMBAI: They have been ference," former Pakistan capdogged by one controversy af- tain and legendary left-arm pacer Akram told ter another in recent years but Wasim such is the quality of the Paki- mediapersons recently. "Umar Gul is bowling well, stan squad that all the top teams are wary about Shahid Afridi's Shoaib Akhtar is back and unpredictable bunch who have (Wahab) Riaz is also doing well. the ability to go the distance Pakistan's back-up is excellent," he added. during the World Cup. Despite all these setbacks, Not having played any international cricket at home since some self-inflicted and others 2009 terrorist attack on Lankan forced, the team has managed players, the constant chopping to get the number three seedand changing the squad has also ing in the tournament - a tribute affected the team's performance. to its inherent talent - and is If that wasn't enough, to add to this 'Umar Gul is bowling well, conundrum, has been the spot-fixing scandal Shoaib Akhtar is back and that has resulted in bans being handed out (Wahab) Riaz is also doing to Salman Butt, well. Pakistan's back-up is Mohammed Asif and excellent,' he added Mohammed Aamer. The team, led by mercurial all-rounder Shahid Afridi, bunched in Group A along with who was named captain after a title holders Australia, New strange delaying tactics employed Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, by the PCB, will surely miss the Canada and Kenya. "Pakistan can be a dangercutting edge that Aamer and Asif would have provided with their ous team. No one can altogether lethal combination of pace from write off Pakistan's chances in one end and swing from the other. the Cricket World Cup. They But Pakistan has always pro- have the capability to do well," duced talented cricketers who can according to Akram. "Pakistan have made it a be able replacement for their exhabit of playing normal cricket perienced senior cricketers. "Both (Asif and Amer) are and playing well under prestalented and top class and sure, but relaxing when not unwicket-taking bowlers. Their ab- der pressure," was Akram's obsence will definitely make a dif- servation. -PTI

Realty Tidbits

Big rise expected in hotel occupancy

Real Estate

arriott International expects occupancy across properties in India to be over 80 per cent compared with mid-70 per cent levels a year ago, as demand for rooms rise on higher corporate demand and the World Cup. "February is a very strong month for the hotel industry predominantly driven by strong corporate demand. On top of that we have generally seen some good demand coming through from sports activities like the World Cup," said Rajeev Menon, area vice-president of India, Malaysia and Maldives. "In Ahmedabad, our hotel is going to be the main hotel for that city. So, obviously, the demand is very strong," he said, referring to its 'Courtyard' property in Gujarat capital.

DLF launches luxury apartments at GK-2

LF has just announced soft launch of two Dream and Super Luxury Developments at Greater Kailash - II (A colony developed by DLF). The projects are as under: DLF Queens Court - 18 apartments (approx) only DLF Kings Court - 12 apartments (approx) only This is the last very posh FSI available in the entire South Delhi. Being in South Delhi the apartments are also numbered and are being booked "Strictly by Invitation". This development has centrally air conditioned apartments of sizes ranging from 5400-6000 sq feet approx., "One apartment a floor model". The Kings Court promises the unrestricted view of the Jehanpanah Forests and the W block Park.

India Post

www.indiapost.com

February 18, 2011

Ansal reports 4.81% hike in profit

ealty firm Ansal Properties and Infrastructure has reported 4.81 per cent jump in its consolidated net profit for the quarter ended December 31, 2010, at Rs 32.93 crore. The company had posted a net profit of Rs 31.42 crore in the corresponding period previous year, Ansal API said in a statement. The consolidated total revenue during the third quarter of this fiscal increased by 6.5% to Rs 353.17 crore from Rs 331.60 crore in the year-ago period, it added.

Delhi, Mumbai may see 10-15 % correction in rates Real estate prices in parts of Delhi and Mumbai are likely to correct 10-15 per cent in the next few months, as rising interest rates could see customers defer their buying decisions, say builders and real estate experts in these cities. Rajesh Goyal, chairman, RG Group, a Noida-based builder, expects home prices in Delhi to correct 15-20 per cent in the next few months. Prices have gone up 4050 per cent in the last 7-8 months. ''When prices increase, people start deferring," he said. Goyal says that though land prices have doubled in many areas in Delhi from Rs 1-1.5 lakh a meter to Rs 2.5-3 lakh a meter, there are hardly any transactions at these prices. In Mumbai, where primary sales have dried up, the situation is more acute, say experts. "Sales have gone down," said Pankaj Kapoor, CEO, Liases Foras, a non-brokerage real estate research firm. ''In the last 3-4 quarters, builders indulged in artificial sales by transferring the ownership of 300-400 flats to investors, brokers or underwriters. We flag such projects," he said. A field study by Liases Foras has found the proportion of such projects ha s gone up from 12 per cent in the quarter ended September, 2009, to 43 per cent in the quarter ended September, 2010. Sales have fallen from 17,000 units in

In a market like Noida, where the cost of land is relatively low and apartment prices are Rs 2,500-3,000 per sq ft, the scope for correction is less. Mumbai could see a correction of 25-30 per cent, especially in areas in Central Mumbai like Parel September, 2009 to 10,000 units in September, 2010. In the December quarter, sales fell by an additional 15 per cent. The firm studied 2,500 projects across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and found that 30-40 projects account for 43 per cent of sales. This shows that the market is very narrow. With prices soaring, buyers are struggling to bring in their

contributions. Banks now lend only 80 per cent of the cost of a flat, compared with the earlier 85-90 per cent. ''In most markets, builders are seeking 15-20 per cent in cash, as they see a correction. They have also increased the super built-up (saleable) area. In 2006, if the loading (the difference between what you pay for and the carpet area of your flat) was 40 per cent. Today it has

Trump developing luxury ‘condo’ in Mumbai U

S billionaire real-estate developer Donald Trump is finally making a serious move to transform the skyline of India’s financial capital, Mumbai. Trump is now planning to develop a super luxury 60-storey tall “condo” in south Mumbai. The Trump Tower is expected to be launched next month and is believed to have 45 flats across 60 floors, most of which will have one flat for every floor. Trump, who has joined with Mumbai developer Rohan Lifescapes for his first venture in the country, plans to

The Trump Tower is expected to be launched next month and is believed to have 45 Donald Trump

invest $500 million to change the face of half an acre plot. It could well be the most expensive resi-

flats across 60 floors dential buildings in Mumbai. “We are the developers to the building and Trump will be lending

his brand. We’ve seen some great interest in the pre launch and it is promising. We will watch the market carefully and close in on a price,” said Harresh Mehta, chairman and MD of Rohan Lifescapes. With the US housing market in an extended period of slump, India is one of the big focus areas for Donald Trump. And promoters say the interest during the soft launch has been fairly high despite the sky high prices for the 60-floor apartments being planned for which high rise clearance is yet to be received.

gone up to 70 per cent, or even 100 per cent in some cases,'' Kapoor said. Property buyers are facing a double whammy. Not only have property prices increased threefold since 2005, saleable areas have also increased, and this has resulted in a rise in the prices of flats. Kapoor expects prices in Mumbai to correct 15-20 per cent gradually, and then not rise for the next two years. However, builders, after selling to investors at higher prices, would try to hold on to the prices. ''They have other means. The negotiations are not just on prices but also on flat sizes; they negotiate for less saleable area," according to an expert. The National Capital Region saw an addition of 147,000 homes in 2010, or almost half of what Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore added together in the period. Kapoor estimates that Gurgaon prices will correct 20-25 per cent, while prices in Noida-Greater Noida, Sonepat and Faridabad may correct 10-15 per cent-the higher the price, the higher will be the correction. So, in a market like Noida, where the cost of land is relatively low and apartment prices are Rs 2,500-3,000 per sq ft, the scope for correction is less. Mumbai could see a correction of 25-30 per cent, especially in areas in Central Mumbai like Parel. This is not the case in areas like KalyanDombivili, say experts. Sanjay Dutt, CEO (operations), real estate consultant Jones Lang Lesalle, expects a major correction in Mumbai and Delhi and stagnation across markets. "Many builders borrowed money to buy land in home markets, but the sales have dropped. There's a mismatch between the flow of capital and the need for capital. Some have opened their doors, while some are holding their breath and borrowing at 17-18 per cent,'' he said. Shobhit Agarwal, CEO, Protiviti Consulting, feels that any increase in the cost of funds will dampen demand. "Speculative demand thins out as interest rates rise. Once demand slows down, prices soften, as people defer buying…We are in the early stage of what we saw in 2008-09," said Agarwal, who advises realty firms on M&As, risks and audit.

Real Estate

February 18, 2011

India Post

www.indiapost.com

DB Realty MD arrested Property sale ban on Delhi colonies lifted for role in scam

Shahid Balwa (right), who was arrested by the CBI in connection with the 2G spectrum allocation case, comes out of a court in Mumbai

The CBI has arrested Dynamix Balwas (DB) group managing director Shahid Usman Balwa in

connection with the 2G spectrum allocation scam. "We have arrested Shahid Balwa for his role in

the 2G scam. He is alleged to be involved in receiving and channeling money for Raja," said CBI spokesperson Binita Thakur. The Enforcement Directorate had trailed Rs 214 crore allegedly routed by Balwa and DB Realty to Chennai-based Kalaignar TV, a channel promoted by family members of DMK leader and Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi. Balwa's DB Realty had acquired Swan Telecom which bagged 2G licenses for 13 circles. Within months, the company sold 45 per cent of shares for Rs 4,500 crore to UAE-based Etisalat. Swan Telecom was later renamed Etisalat DB. Balwa's is the fourth arrest in the case - after Raja and bureaucrats Siddharth Behura and R K Chandolia. The CBI said that Balwa needed to be confronted with Raja to trace the money trail. CBI officials claimed they had clinching evidence against Balwa, that he channeled the money allegedly received by the former Telecom minister and invested it in the real estate sector. Balwa was questioned earlier and had furnished his bank and company details to investigators. DB Realty had earlier clarified that it did not directly invest in Kalaignar TV and that a subsidiary, Dynamix Realty, did. In its statement, N Sridhar, CEO of DB Realty, said the money was later returned and the company earned 8 per cent interest on it.

Mumbai commercial market showing signs of recovery T

he commercial real estate market in Mumbai is finally bouncing back after a prolonged recession-induced slump. According to a recent report by property consultants Knight Frank, the commercial market in Mumbai is showing signs of revival and enquiries are on the rise. The first three quarters of financial year 2010-11 witnessed more transaction of office space at 6.83 million sq ft than the entire last fiscal, which saw only 6.68 million sq ft uptake of commercial realty space. "The postponement of expansion plans by many BFSI (Banking, Financial Services and Insurance) and IT/ITES companies, which are the principal drivers for commercial office demand in Mumbai further, affected the over-

all office market," says the report. It is only recently that commercial rentals have started stabilizing after nose-diving from July 2009 to

Over the last two quarters since the economy both in India and globally started moving upward, IT firms like IBM, Infosys have started recruiting December 2010 due to a feeble demand for the excess supply. Lately, some pockets in

Mumbai have shown an improvement in absorption by the BFSI and IT/ITES sector, which accounted for more than 60 per cent of the transactions for the last two years. The total office space transaction during the first three quarters of this year saw 27 per cent from BFSI sector, a steep decline from its share of 41 per cent during last year. On the other hand, the IT/ ITES sector had a share of 37 per cent of transacted office space this year as against only 20 per cent last year. "During the slowdown, the IT sector had hit rock bottom. Over the last two quarters since the economy both in India and globally started moving upward, IT firms like IBM, Infosys have started recruiting.

housands of residents at regularized, unauthorized colonies across Delhi will now be able to officially sell their property, with a ban on the registry of real estate transactions in the areas about to be lifted soon. Revenue officials said an office order allowing registration in these colonies is in the works, more than three years after the department stopped property sale in these colonies due to a technical hiccup. Revenue minister Raj Kumar Chauhan said he told his department officials to begin work on the new rule. These colonies include Laxmi Nagar, Geeta Colony, Shakarpur, Sudarshan Park, Adarsh Nagar,

revenue official, as residents often find ways to getting around the law. "The government is the biggest loser, as it is deprived of the registration money. We hope to generate a substantial amount of revenue once the process is allowed," an official said. The Central government regularized 567 colonies in 1977, after which the government enforced a staggered scheme to provide civic amenities here, said an official of the Urban Development department. A senior revenue official said the move to denotify the colonies has been long due, but the government faced several

parts of Punjabi Bagh, Inderlok, Vishwas Nagar, Ganesh Nagar, Mahavir Nagar, Amritpuri and Gautam Nagar. Built on government land, these colonies were regularized in 1977 and owners were allowed to sell property till about three years back, when revenue officials suddenly realized that the land had not been formally denotified. Orders were then issued banning property sale in these areas, though residents had been declared the property owners when the colonies were regularized. Property sale has, however, never really halted, said a senior

constraints. "Soon after the ban was enforced, the government found itself caught in a demolition crossfire and could not take up the issue. Then came the elections, pushing it on the back-burner," the official said. When the government tried to lift the ban last year, Urban Development officials stalled it, saying the land on which the colonies were built hadn't been denotified yet, the official added. "We then decided to define the word 'notified', and arrived at a consensus that colonies that have been regularized will be considered 'denotified'," the official said.

Datebook

46 India Post

February 18, 2011

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NEW YORK

ILLINOIS

Upcoming

Thurs Feb 17 • 7 Khoon Maaf - Special Preview Venue: Big Cinemas, 59th Street at 2nd Ave, NYC, New York Time: 8:30pm Contact: 212-594-3685

Sat Feb 19 • Bhangra Fever 3 Venue: Osterhout Concert Theater, Binghamton University, 4400 Vestal Parkway East, Binghamton, New York Time: 6pm Contact: 716-472-7664

Sat March 5

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• Lo Gujjubhai Ghode Chadaya

Fri March 18

Venue: Hindu Temple Auditorium, 143 - 09 Holly Avenue, Flushing, New York Time: 7pm to 11pm Contact: 732-763 -0118

Venue: Westmont, 127 Whote Birch Lane, Westmont, Illinois Contact: 630-654-0852

• Art of Living Course

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Venue: Holiday Inn, 3050,Wood Bridge Ave, Edison, New Jersey Time: 8pm Contact: 732-277-6687

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WASHINGTON DC

Upcoming Sat Feb 26 • Elite 8 Bhangra Invitational 2011 Venue: Warner Theater, 1299 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC Time: 6pm to 9pm Contact: 800-551-7328

Mon July 4 • Rathyatra, Festival of India Venue: National Mall (in front of Air & Space Museum), Washington, DC Time: 10:30am to 9pm Contact: 301-299-2100

Mon August 22 • Shri Krishna Janamastami Venue: Hare Krishan Temple, 10310 Oaklyn Drive, Potomac, Maryland Time: 4:30am to 1am Contact: 301-299-2100

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Thurs Feb 24 • Art of Living Course Venue: Belmont Sports Complex, 550 Island Pkwy, Belmont, Bay Area Time: 6:30am to 4pm Contact: 617-922-8234

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Thurs May 5 • Fund raising Volleyball tournament Venue: Ponderosa Park, Sunnyvale, CA Time: 8am to 5pm

Thurs Feb 24 • MCKS Arhatic Yoga Retreat Venue: Temecula Creek Inn, 44501 Rainbow Canyon Road, Temecula Creek Inn, LA Time: 6:30pm Contact: 909-548-0884

Sat Feb 26 • I Just Wanna Dance Venue: La Mirada Theatre, 14900 La Mirada Boulevard, La Mirada, California Time: 6pm to 9pm Contact: 909-263-2980

Sat March 12 • Scarlet Night 2011...a celebration of the gift of health Venue: San Jose Convention Center, 150 W San Carlos St, San Jose, CA Time: 6pm to 11:30pm Contact: 650 940 7242 Highlights: Networking - Socialize, connect with old friends and make new friends, Casino - Play black jack, poker, roulette, etc.

Sun March 20 • Holi on the Beach 2011 Venue: Will Rogers State Beach (Between towers 5&6), Pacific Coast Highway & Temescal Canyon Road, Pacific Palisades, Alabama Time: 10am to 3pm Contact: (310) 923 6491

Mon Aug 1 • Yogalicious! Venue: Art of Living Center Los Angeles, 948 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, California Time: 6:30pm to 9pm Contact: 310-820-9429 Highlights: Its programs teach a blend of ancient eastern breathing techniques and wisdom that help eliminate stress, restore the highest human values and encourage people from all backgrounds, religions and cultural traditions.

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Notice is hereby given responses will be accepted in the office of the Auditor-Controller Agency, County of Alameda, 1221 Oak Street, Room 249, Oakland, CA 94612 You are invited to submit a quote to provide audit services to the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Authority for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2011 through 2013 in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards. Responses of Quote are Due by 2:00 p.m. on February 28, 2011 County Contact: Ken Kerkhoff (510) 2726565 or via email: jpaaudits@acgov.org 2/18/11 CNS-2035426#

Philosophy

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Page Sponsored by Sahanis A. C. BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI PRABHUPADA

ord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu recommended: darpanamarjanam. Marjanam means "cleanse," and darpanam means "mirror." The heart is a mirror. It is like a camera. Just as a camera takes all kinds of pictures of days and nights, so also our heart takes pictures and keeps them in an unconscious state [Subconsciousness]. Psychologists know this. The heart takes so many pictures, and therefore it becomes covered. We do not know when it has begun, but it is a fact that because there is material contact, our real identity is covered. Therefore ceto-darpana-marjanam: one has to cleanse his heart. And when the heart is cleansed, then a person becomes eligible for being freed from the clutches of maya, or the materialistic way of life. When the mind is completely washed of all material contamination, the pure consciousness acts. The sound vibration from the spiritual sky can automatically cleanse all material contaminations, as confirmed by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: ceto-darpanam-marjanam [Cc. Antya 20.12]. We need only take the advice of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and chant the Hare Krishna mantra to cleanse the mind of all material contamination, and this may be considered the summary of this difficult verse. As soon as the ACHARYA MAHAPRAJNA

he sources of problems lie both in the material world as well as in the intrinsic world of consciousness. Bhagwan Mahavira was a mantradata - a preceptor of short-cuts to precise solutions to intricate problems. One of his mantras to solve problems was based on the principle of bringing harmony between two extremes. So he said, "One who is cognisant of the intrinsic is cognisant of the extrinsic; one who is cognisant of the extrinsic is cognisant of the intrinsic". Hence, the intrinsic correlates with the spirituality, while the extrinsic with the external or physical conditions. Now, there are some people who assert that spirituality holds the key to all problems, while others insist on bringing about change in the external conditions for solving all problems. In fact, a holistic approach would be that it is imperative to change the external conditions as well as the internal ones. The two great challenges of the present day world are unlimited personal wealth and unlimited consumption.

whole material contamination is washed away by this process of chanting, all desires and reactions to material activities become immediately vanquished, and real life, peaceful existence, begins. In this age of Kali it is very difficult to adopt the yogic process mentioned in this verse. Unless one is very expert in such yoga, the best course is to adopt the ways and means of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, SriKrishna-sankirtanam. Thus one can gloriously become freed from

Krishna. The beginning is cleansing the heart, because we are impure on account of dirty things within our heart, accumulated lifetime after lifetime in the animalistic way of life. So everything-advancement of spiritual life, culture, tapasya-is meant to cleanse the heart. And in this process of chanting the mahamantra, the first installment of benefit is the cleansing of the heart. Specifically, chanting the Hare Krishna mantra purifies one, and this chanting is therefore recom-

1.5.20). He whose heart is purified can see that the whole cosmic manifestation is but the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but he whose heart is contaminated sees things differently. Therefore by sat-sanga, or association with devotees, one becomes perfectly pure in heart. (SB 4.24.59 pp) In this way the person who chants Hare Krishna purifies his consciousness. Then his materialistic activity is stopped. He knows, "This is simply a waste of time. I must act spiritually." That

Chanting Hare Krishna mantra cleanses the mind When the heart is cleansed, then a person becomes eligible for being freed from the clutches of maya, or the materialistic way of life

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

all material contamination by the simple process of chanting Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare / Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Just as life in this material world has its beginning in material sound, similarly a spiritual life has its beginning in this spiritual sound vibration. (SB 4.23.17 pp) In His Siksastaka, Lord Chaitanya describes the progressive benefits of chanting Hare

mended by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. By chanting the names of Krishna, the mirror of the heart is cleansed, and the devotee loses interest in everything external. When one is influenced by the external energy of the Lord, his heart is impure. When one's heart is not pure, he cannot see how things are related to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Idam hi visvam bhagavan ivetarah (Bhag.

is knowledge, which comes from cleansing the heart (ceto-darpanamarjanam [Cc. Antya 20.12]). The illusion of wrongly working on the basis of the bodily concept of life is overcome simply by the chanting of the Hare Krishna mahamantra. This is the first installment of benefit from chanting. (SP: Civilization and Transcendence) The 525th birth anniversary of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu will be observed on February 18

On account of limitless individual possession, one section of the society is becoming more and more affluent, whereas another section of the society is becoming deprived and reeling under the agony of extreme poverty and hunger. For solving these two prime challenges, two mantras enunciated by Bhagwan Mahavira can prove extremely effective.

material and economic development, nor can he solve the problem of hunger. Putting a limit to one's consumption: The second vow is to put a voluntary limit to one's individual consumption. One of the main causes of the environmental pollution is over consumption or unnecessary consumption. Attachments to sensuality, the

those for external one and training is started to a change in the human consciousness, then better results can be gained in attaining success in solving the problems. Ahimsa yatra Through Ahimsa Yatra we are trying to send the message of nonviolence to everyone. We realised that people involved in violence are highly

Put a limit to your possessions as well as consumption The two great challenges of the present day world are unlimited personal wealth Acharya Mahaprajna

Putting a limit on one's possessions: The first and foremost vow of the code of conduct for a householder is to put a limit on one's own accumulation of wealth. The vow of non-possession cannot be prescribed for a householder. For, an individual totally devoid of possessions cannot make

and unlimited consumption exhibition of pomp and show, expansion of the mentality to seek more and more comforts and the like - all these have led to imbalances in Nature. Scientists and heads of nations are striving hard to solve the problems of the external world. But little change is visible. Now, if efforts for bringing about internal change are coupled with

organised and crimes are committed with great planning. But people who profess ahimsa and believe in it are scattered and spread. If we are unorganised we cannot stop the violence. So it became essential to organise the Ahimsa-loving people before we could face the violent groups and stop them.

When you seek it, you cannot find it. -Zen Proverb Asking good questions is half of learning. -Muhammad Whatever you have in your mind - forget it; Whatever you have in your hand - give it; Whatever is to be your fate - face it! -Abu Sa'id To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious Persian rug. -Helen Keller Love is a gross exaggeration of the difference between one person and everybody else. -George Bernard Shaw A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom. -Bob Dylan Love is a game that two can play and both win. -Eva Gabor

You Insure all your Valuables, all are replaceable except YOU! So Insure yourself FIRST. Call Sahanis, (Arish, Priya or Shiv) for your Insurance needs 718- 271- 0453. Serving for last 35 yrs

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Samjhauta Express blast vs Mumbai terror attacks RADHAVINOD RAJU

n the eve of Foreign Secretary-level talks in Thimphu, Pakistan came out with a provocative statement saying that India's handling of the Samjhauta Express train bombing case showed that it lacked "courage to unearth culpability of Hindu extremists". It appears that the Pakistanis are not too keen to see any improvement in ties that might lead to resumption of the talks that were stalled following the Mumbai carnage. Or this might be to check India from making too many demands on the progress or lack of it in the Mumbai blast trial that is taking place in Pakistan. But what are the facts on the ground? Around midnight on February 18, 2007, bombs were set off on the Delhi-Lahore Samjhauta Express, a twice-a-week service. This happened a day before Mr. Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri was to arrive in India for talks. The incident occurred near Panipat in Haryana, 80 km north of Delhi. 68 persons were killed, 42 of them Pakistani civilians, besides some Indian citizens, and army jawans guarding the train. The case was under investigation with the Haryana police who could not make any headway after their probe led to a tailor in Indore who had prepared the cover of the suitcase in which the bombs were planted. After over three years, the probe was handed over to the National Investigation Agency in the middle of 2010 by the Central government. At that time, there were reports that the Hindu rightwing groups that were involved in the Malegaon and Ajmer blasts were also involved in the Samjhauta Express blast. The Americans had in the meanwhile, in early 2009, identified a Pakistani, Asif Kasmani, of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, as involved in the Samjhauta Express blast, and moved the UN to declare him as an international terrorist. Americans generally do not make such claims easily. Did they have some clue, or evidence that the Indian investigators missed? The investigators had therefore to move carefully and look at unimpeachable evidence to come to any conclusion about the actual perpetrators. But did India, or the Indian police, lack any courage in unearthing the culpability of extreme Hindu outfits in such terrorist acts? The Anti-Terrorist Squad of Maharashtra led the way in un-

earthing the complicity of Hindu right wing groups in the Malegaon blast of September 2008, and filed charge sheets against 11 accused, including a serving Army colonel and a Sadhvi, in January 2009. Their investigations continued even after that; and the Maharashtra ATS have made more arrests in the case. The harshest sections of law, including the dreaded Maharashtra Control of Organized

closed as untraced, but was revived in the wake of the arrests made in the blast cases. The National Investigation Agency, the Central Bureau of Investigation and the ATS Units from Maharashtra and Rajasthan have been working closely to break open the blast cases. The investigators have to carefully collect all available evidence to bring the charges successfully

Samjhauta Express blast

Mumbai terrorist attack

Crime Act, were applied against the accused in this case. The AntiTerrorist Squad of Rajasthan filed a chargesheet against a Hindu right wing group for the Ajmer blasts in October 2010. Does this show any lack of courage in dealing under law with the extreme right wing groups? The Samjhauta Express case has also been broken open, this time by the National Investigation Agency, with the arrest of a Hindu 'God' man, and a recording of his confession by a magistrate. The NIA has proclaimed substantial rewards for information that have led to the arrest of three absconding accused. These investigations have compelled the Madhya Pradesh police, where the right wing BJP is in power, to go after the killers of one Sunil Joshi, a Hindu right wing activist, who had allegedly played an active role in all the three blasts and was allegedly killed by his own colleagues as he knew too much. This investigation had been

against the perpetrators of these crimes. The investigation cannot be based solely on confessions, but will also have to look for independent evidence to corroborate material particulars. It is too early to share the result of the Samjhauta Express case with Pakistan, and the Indian Home Minister is on record that as soon as this becomes possible, India will be happy to share the details with Pakistan. On the other hand, the trial in the 26/11 case is moving at snail's pace in Pakistan. Hafiz Saeed, the main architect of the Mumbai attacks, is moving freely, and a couple of days back, was threatening war with India if we fail to vacate Kashmir. Our request for voice samples of some of the accused for purpose of comparison in the 26/11 case is still pending. So who is scared of unearthing the culpability of right wing terrorists, India or Pakistan? The writer is former Director General, NIA. Courtesy IPCS

India Post Evolution of corruption

alues of society keep changing. There was a time in India when thinking of money, or being money-minded was to be corrupt. That is why a great many aspiring young people migrated to western countries where money making was not only not frowned upon but was also easier to make. Socialist India encouraged people to live within their means even as the rulers and their cronies cornered the booty by freely changing laws in the name of the poor. Manufacturing and industry was strangled with licensing. Globalization brought glamour to money making and corruption became a nexus between the government and corporations. The constant in this picture was the Government, always with its hand in the till, whatever its composition saffron or white, together with their allies. Another constant was the condition of the poor. They remained where they were. With multiplication of media outlets and their urge to outdo each other, they found that corruption stories attracted more and more eyeballs and readers. The audience had matured. Corruption in government and its various wings is nothing new. Everyone knew it was there and the rumors about who makes what were always afloat. But everyone shook his head and went his way because it was also known that nothing could be done about it. What is new and a pleasant shock today that media exposes are hitting their targets and are having an impact. Governments started taking steps to undo the impression that its ministers and functionaries were corrupt. The governments were weak coalitions and unless they improved their image there was threat of being toppled. If the governments had been majorities like the Congress governments of yore, nothing could possibly have been done. So the skeletons in the cupboards of politicians started shaking with every media exposure. And every media exposure gave cause to rival news companies to keep on the hunt. And suddenly it looks like it is raining corruption scandals. Nothing is sacred anymore, whether it is defense matters or relations with US or China. Stories of suspect motives keep popping up. Indian tolerance is legendary. The Indian people allowed foreigners to rule them for centuries. A majority of them continue to be tolerant in religious matters. In matters of corruption also, they have been greatly tolerant. This seems to be changing. With the rising middle class, which has reached its level of subsistence by hard work, the polishing of the cream by the undeserving is beginning to hurt. And they think they can do something about it. There is this feeling that politicians, bureaucrats and corporate bigwigs escape punishment even when found guilty. The rulers keep avoiding taking action as a major such move could destabilize their governments. They devise strategies to confuse and confound the issues by ferreting out parallels of wrongdoing by their predecessors. But that doesn't make them any less guilty. So the game continues and the exposes will also continue. It is increasingly being pointed out that action is being taken against lower-rank functionaries. There has been no action against the fat cats. Although D Raja, the former Telecom Minister, has been arrested, he is getting away by refusing to reveal anything significant. Also, he has found full support from his party chief, M. Karunanidhi, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. Karunanidhi himself is under a cloud with a complaint of housing scam being sent to the Governor to permit his prosecution. This looks like a tit for tat case. The Governor of Karnataka, a former Congress minister at the Center, has quickly sanctioned the prosecution of the BJP chief minister on grounds of corruption. It remains to be seen if the Governor of Tamil Nadu will sanction the prosecution of Karunanidhi, who is major ally of the Congress at the Center.

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